Karnataka recover from two-goal deficit to draw with Punjab National Bank at 97th MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup

Hockey Karnataka fought back from a two-goal deficit to hold Punjab National Bank to a 2-2 draw in a Pool-A match of the 97th All-India MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup at the SDAT Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. PNB dominated the first half with aggressive raids, while Karnataka produced a stronger showing after the interval to force the draw.

PNB opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Neeraj won possession near the left sideline, dribbled past two Karnataka players and slotted the ball past goalkeeper K.K. Tharun Ganapathy. Two minutes later Gursimran Singh extended PNB’s lead by converting a penalty corner with a drag-flick; Tharun intercepted the effort but could not keep it out.

Karnataka began its recovery in the 32nd minute from a well-coordinated move in which Maji Ganesh found Bhrath Mahalingappa Kurtakot, who directed the ball for C.J. Rahul to finish. G. Vishwas completed the comeback with a goal in the 52nd minute. The side then pushed for a winner but were unable to convert two penalty corners awarded in the final three minutes.

In the other match on the card, Indian Navy defeated SAI-NCOE Bhopal 5-2 in Pool-B. The Navy scorers were Rajat Sharma 15, Ashis Topno 35-pc, Nitesh 38, Sundra Pandi 58 and K. Selvaraj 60, while SAI-NCOE Bhopal replied through Mohammed Zaid Khan 26 and Bhrat Kaushik 59.

The official results published for the day read: Pool-A: Punjab National Bank 2 (Neeraj 14, Gursimran Singh 16-pc) drew with Hockey Karnataka 2 (C.J. Rahul 32, G. Vishwas 52). Pool-B: Indian Navy 5 (Rajat Sharma 15, Ashis Topno 35-pc, Nitesh 38, Sundra Pandi 58, K. Selvaraj 60) beat SAI-NCOE Bhopal 2 (Mohammed Zaid Khan 26, Bhrat Kaushik 59).