Bengaluru Cup hockey 2015: Slow match sees Karnataka XI draw with ONGC

ONGC and Karnataka XI played a 2-2 draw in the men’s league matches of the 2nd Bengaluru Cup hockey tournament at the Bangalore Hockey Stadium turf under lights here on Tuesday.

After a barren first half, Karnataka shot into the lead in the 58th minute with Poonacha MG but ONGC struck back in the 62nd minute through a penalty corner conversion by Diwakar Ram. Then ONGC went ahead 2-1 when Harsahiv Singh Shammi scored in the 64thminute. However, MD Raheel scored the equaliser for Karnataka in the 68th minute as the teams split the points.

In the slow-paced match, both the teams made repeated raids but lacked sting upfront in the first 40 minutes. Harsahiv missed a couple of chances for ONGC with Karnataka defenders Darshan and Dung Dung playing well. Home team’s Pradhan Somanna too moved back to assist the defence.

Pradhan also set up the first goal for Poonacha in the 58th minute forcing ONGC to increase the pace. Diwakar Ram flicked low in to the boards from the team’s sixth penalty corner and then Harsahiv scored off a fast cross from Sumit to make it 2-1 in favour of ONGC.

But the Karnataka team managed to restore parity two minutes before the hooter. Off a raid from the right flank, Nitin Thimmaiah sent in a stinger but the rival goalkeeper padded it off. Then Raheel picked the rebound and shot home as the crowd erupted into loud cheers.