Chandigarh meet UP in Junior National Hockey final

 

 KOVILPATTI (TN), DEC 25

 Hockey Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh Hockey registered victories to advance to the final of the 11th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship here today. In semi-final matches Hockey Chandigarh beat Hockey Association of Odisha  3 - 0 in shootout  and  Uttar Pradesh Hockey ousted Hockey Haryana  by 8 – 3.

In the first semi final between Hockey Association of Odisha and Hockey Chandigarh, there was nothing to separate the two sides in regulation time as the match ended 2 – 2 after 60 minutes. 

As the tie went to a penalty shootout, Hockey Chandigarh held their nerves to secure a 3 – 0 win in the shootouts. After Sudeep Chirmako (11’) gave Hockey Association of Odisha the lead, Hockey Chandigarh responded with two quick fire goals from Captain Rahul (17’) and Raman (18’) in the second quarter. Prasant Lakra equalised for Hockey Association of Odisha in the 37^th minute, and the match then proceeded to penalty shootouts to decide a winner.

 SHARDA HAT-TRICKS FOR UP: The second semi final painted a different picture, where Uttar Pradesh Hockey recorded a comprehensive 8 – 3 victory over Hockey Haryana. Sharda Nand Tiwari (13’, 16’, 28’); who has been in red-hot form throughout the competition, became the leading scorer of the tournament with yet another hat-trick on the big stage. 

His efforts were supplemented by another hat-trick from Arun Sahani (31’, 35’, 47’) and a brace from Uttam Singh (23’, 60’). Pankaj also scored a treble for Hockey Haryana (38’, 43’, 60+’).
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