They played well in the first leg but failed to maintain the same tempo in the second set of matches and finished a disappointing fourth in the first edition.

In the third final, Bangalore's Hariprasad scored a classic goal - that one effort earned him a place in the Indian team for the Asian Games and the World Cup.

Bangalore had eight internationals in their team and is also served by one of the best goalkeepers in the country, Bharath Kumar Chetri.

Its Korean import You Hyo-sik has the ability to make speedy runs and he was an asset to the team.

Skipper Tushar Khandekar was the star to watch in the forward line and he has the seasoned and talented Sandeep Michael and Hariprasad to bolster the attack.

Another former international CS Poonacha was the fitness trainer with the secretary of the Karnataka Hockey Association K Krishnamurthy as manager.