Karnataka hold Services

Hosts Karnataka stunned strong contenders Services by holding them to a 1-1 draw in a Group II league match in the final round of the Under-21 National football championship in Mandya, Karnataka, on Tuesday.

Both the goals came in the second session.

Services shot into the lead in the 73rd minute, with R Sharat bulging the net, while Karnataka clawed back to get the equaliser eight minutes from final whistle through Shivamani, who converted a penalty kick.

Services enjoyed territorial advantage in the first half and relentlessly attacked the Karnataka citadel, but in vain. The exchanges were, however, equal in the second session with Services gaining ascendency towards the end when they scored through Sharat, who found the net following a free-kick.

Shivamani scored the equaliser for Karnataka in the 82nd minute from a penalty kick.

Manipur meet Goa in a Group II match on Wednesday.