Karnataka’s men end National Games hockey title drought with sudden death win over Uttar Pradesh
The HinduUttar Pradesh’s luck ran out finally in the penalty shootout as Karnataka prevailed in sudden death to win the men’s hockey gold of the 36th National Games at the Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium here on Tuesday. In sudden death, Karnataka goalkeeper Jagdeep Dayal denied Rajkumar Pal to put pressure on UP’s goalkeeper Prashant Kumar, who had helped his side win the shootouts against West Bengal and Maharashtra. After neutralising another UP penalty corner, defender Sasi Gowda played a long ball to N.M. Surya, who passed to Abharan Sudev who had made his way into the shooting D. Goalkeeper Prashant Kumar came out of his guard and Sudev’s goal-bound shot was tapped into an open net by S.V. Haryana managed to preserve its lead as Punjab’s forwards lacked the necessary sharpness inside the D. Maharashtra beat Haryana 3-1 on penalties to take the men’s bronze after regulation ended 2-2 while Madhya Pradesh crushed Jharkhand 5-2 for the women’s bronze.