Karnataka, Jharkhand to clash in finals of BSNL Hockey

Bangalore, Jan 12 (UNI) In a repeat of last year's final, defending champions Karnataka will take on runner up Jharkhand in the fifth All India BSNL Hockey Tournament here tomorrow.

In the semifinals here today, Karnataka swamped National Telecom Region Delhi 5-0 with the aid of four goals, including a fine hat trick, by Nazeem Bepari, while Jharkhand outsmarted Orissa 4-1.

In a listless first half, Karnataka led 1-0, thanks to Bepari's first goal in the second minute. Crossing over, Bepari struck again in the 37th and 51st minutes to complete his hat track. He got his fourth goal in the 63rd minute. In between R B Vinod boosted the host's tally.

Jharkhand led 2-0 at half time. The scorers for the winners were Lalit Kumar Panna (two), Joseph Soreng and Alexander Kujur. For Orissa, S A A Fahim got the lone goal.

UNI