WSH: Karnataka Lions drub Chennai Cheetahs 5-3

Pakistani drag flicker Syed Imran Warsi, the tournaments highest goal scorer, missed chances galore as Chennai Cheetahs suffered a crushing 3-5 defeat against Karnataka Lions in a World Series Hockey match, in Chennai, on Saturday.

The hosts' goal-keeper Jasbir Singh too was off colour on Saturday and conceded three goals to rival skipper Ravi Pal Singh, who starred for the visitors with three goals.

Ravi Pal scored the first, third and the fourth goals, while young Vinayak Bijward scored the second goal and Deepak Kulu, the fifth. For Cheetahs Imrani Warsi (two) and Mark Harris were the scorers.

However, Warsi's wayward flicks from three of the eight penalty corners by the team cost them the match as otherwise it would have put them in good stead.

The Karnataka defenders did their job with elan and were rarely off their marks and in fact Innocent Kullu brought off one save in rushing out to stop Warsi flick and Len Aiyyappa was pick of the lot at the defense.

Karnataka Lions recorded the victory on a day when their star players Dhanraj Pillai, Amar Ayamma and Arjun Halappa were rested while Deepak Kullu was fielded as a substitute for the first time in the tournament.