The 95th edition of the MCC Murugappa Gold Cup All-India hockey tournament saw Karnataka, the revelation of the previous edition, finally secure their first win after a shaky start. In a Pool B encounter against NCOE (Bhopal), Karnataka emerged victorious with a hard-fought 4-3 win, showcasing their determination and resilience.
After reaching the final in the previous edition, Karnataka’s performance in this tournament has been a far cry from their dominant displays. However, against NCOE, they showed signs of their former brilliance, with Abharan Sudev and C. J. Rahul each scoring twice to lead the team to victory.
NCOE, who had won the Lakshmi Ammal Memorial tournament in Kovilpatti in June, came into the tournament with high expectations but have struggled so far. They started the match strongly, taking the lead through their captain Faraz Md. in the seventh minute from a penalty corner. However, Karnataka responded swiftly, with goals from Abharan Sudev and Rahul putting them ahead. Rahul’s back-push from close range secured a 3-1 lead for Karnataka.
NCOE fought back valiantly, creating several scoring opportunities from penalty corners in the final stages of the third and fourth quarters. But Karnataka’s goalkeeper A. C. Subramani stood tall, making crucial saves to deny NCOE an equalizer.
The match was a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the intensity and competitiveness of this prestigious tournament. While Karnataka’s performance in this edition may not have matched the previous one, their victory against NCOE indicates they are slowly finding their rhythm. It remains to be seen if they can maintain their momentum and challenge for the title.
