Gritty Karnataka defeated Bihar 5-4 in a thrilling encounter to emerge champions in the 8th Hockey India Junior Men's National Championship (B Division) here on Saturday.
The Karnataka colts thus earned promotion to the A Division.
Karnataka took the lead as early as in the fifth minute through Pavan Madiwalar before Sachin Dungdung cancelled it out three minutes later. Bihar then hit the front two minutes later through Johnson Purty but Karnataka hit back immediately, equalising three minutes later through CS Shamanth.
Both teams then kept trading blows before Karnataka sneaked ahead for the second time, thanks to a fine finish from Madiwalar in the 27th minute. Captain Anand Kumar Bara, however, ensured honours were even at halftime as he struck just seconds before the hooter.
Bihar then gained the upper hand in the back-and-forth encounter when Sanchit Horo scored in the 46th minute. But Karnataka delivered the knockout blow in the final 11 minutes of the game, BN Chelsea Medappa equalising in the 59th minute and Madiwalar hammering home the winner six minutes later.
In the third-place play-off, Hockey Coorg defeated Andhra Hockey Association 4-3 in another close encounter.
