BPCL downs Karnataka XI

By Our Sports Reporter

BANGALORE, APRIL 6. Local lad Amar Aiyamma's efforts, including a 33rd minute goal, helped Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd., (BPCL) defeat Karnataka 3-1 in the inaugural match of the U and I Champions Trophy hockey tournament at the KSHA Stadium here on Friday.

For Air India, its Pool B fixture against Army XI was a grim struggle. A Cyprian Aind strike in the 17th minute helped Army XI wrest the initiative early on and Air India managed to equalise in the second half's ninth minute thanks to Kuljinder Singh's efforts.

Earlier the tournament had a 45-minute delayed start as the organisers' over-enthusiasm transmitted into lengthy speeches.

However, the delay did not effect Amar Aiyamma. A SAI team regular in the local league, Amar Aiyamma shifted allegiance to Mumbai based BPCL last year. And back in the familiar environs of the KSHA Stadium, Amar pegged the hosts back.

The Pool A fixture started with Karnataka making the initial moves to usher in a fourth minute penalty corner. However Arjun Halappa struck wide and BPCL swung back though Ravi Naiker's run down the extreme right proved futile.

Goal-keeper B.C. Poonacha saved the blushes for Karnataka when he effected a diving save in the 15th minute of a Sabu Varkey strike. The host had a gilt edged chance when Laxman Rao latched onto a John Verghese through but a brilliant sliding tackle from BPCL skipper M.K. Prakash throttled the move. The first goal came in two minutes before the break when Amar Aiyamma slammed in a Sabu Varkey nudge.

Leading 1-0 at the break, BPCL surged ahead. And Amar Aiyamma held the reins once again. His pass near the goalmouth in the 51st minute helped K.T. Mohan sound the boards.

The host however, thrived on penalty corner number four with Ronald Kiran chipping in the lone goal during the 63rd minute. And that was the last success for Karnataka as BPCL chipped in its third goal during the 65th minute with Sabu Varkey sounding the boards after Amar Aiyamma did the initial spade work.

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Section  : Sport
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