Defending Champions Karnataka proves its supermacy

Bangalore, Jan 8 (UNI) One-sided matches were order of the opening day with runner-up Jharkhand trouncing Jammu and Kashmir 5-0 in the fifth All India BSNL Hockey Tournament played at KSHA Stadium here today.

Hosts, Karnataka, who are the Defending Champions, drubbed West Bengal (Group D) with a similar scoreline.

In the Group A, Jharkhand striker Gabrial Topno opened the account by scoring in the 7th minute, Mercel Tirkey scored a brace by striking in 10th and 50th minutes, Hilarius Ekka and Joseph Soreng scored one goal each in 90th and 27th minutes respectively.

Playing an attacking game right from the beginning, Karnataka opened account in the very first minute through striker T J Bopanna.

The lead was increased by Praful Kujur who scored a brace (5th and 39th minute), Nizim Bepari (7th minute) and B V Ashoka (42nd Minute) scored one goal each.

Andhra Pradesh beat Punjab (Group 'A') 3-0 with M M Quadri scoring twice-once in 35 and 53rd minutes, while Narayan Rao scoring in 47th minute.

In the Group 'C' matches, Orissa blanking Gujrat 7-0 with Peter Xess scoring three goals (5th, 10th and 35th minutes) and Narayan Mohanty two (25th and 37th minutes), while S A A Fahim and Bilfrit Dung Dung scored one goal each in 33rd and 47th minutes respecitvely.

Rajasthan defeated Maharashtra 4-0 with Badri Singh scoring a brace (46th and 48th Minutes), while narender partap (45th) and Farooq Zaidi (56th) scored one goal each.

UNI