Haryana Are National Hockey Champions

Haryana defeated Karnataka 2-1 to take the Senior National Hockey title here on Sunday.

Sandeep Singh and Mandeep Antil scored for Haryana, while drag-flicker VR Raghunath scored the lone goal for Karnataka.

Sandeep Singh came into this match with ten goals under his kitty. But Raghunath, who had 11, got first opportunity to increase his and the team's lead when Karnataka XI won their first short corner in the 12th minute.

But the stopper, Vikram Kanth, failed to stop the ball neatly and the opportunity went a begging.

Just two minutes later, Haryana won a short corner and Sandeep Singh, determined and confident as ever, flicked the ball to the top-left corner of the goalkeeper, leaving him with no chance.

Sandeep had drawn parity with Raghunath while Haryana had taken the lead.

Both teams kept attacking and a few chances also came by, but lack of enterprise and presence of mind ensured the scoreboard remained 1-0, in Haryana's favour.

From: http://ping.fm/NQVcB