Odisha boys win national sub-junior hockey title

New Delhi,  May 24, 2015: The Final day of the 5th Sub Junior National Hockey Championship 2015 (Men) at New Delhi saw two teams playing for the Champions tag. In the earlier match of the day, two teams played for the 3rd position. It was Hockey Odisha who beat Hockey Haryana by 4-1 to emerge the winners of the tournament. Playing for the 3rd / 4th position, Hockey Gangpur - Odisha beat Hockey Karnataka by 5-3 to settle for the 3rd position.  

In the final clash, Hockey Odisha defeated Hockey Haryana 4-1 to clinch the title of the 5th Hockey India Sub Junior Men National Championship. The battle between the two teams turned out to be a tough one where both the teams were striving to score from the onset but it was Hockey Odisha who showcased a good start as Ashwin Kujur netted the first goal for his team in the early ten minutes through a field effort. 

Taking the lead to 2-0, Sudhir Kujur scored the second goal for Hockey Odisha in the 14th minute of the game. The game seemed to be dominated by Hockey Odisha when completely charged Suman Beck made no mistake and converted a penalty stroke in the 27th minute. By the end of the first half, Hockey Odisha was leading with a 3-0 on the score board. 

The second half was even exciting as Hockey Haryana’s remarkable efforts resulted in a field goal which came through the stick of the captain Abhishek who dexterously struck the nets in the 43rd minute to open the team’s account by 1-3. With this, Hockey Odisha intensified their attacks and bounced back into the game by yielding a 69th minute field goal through Pradeep Lakra who wrapped up the tournament in favour of Hockey Odisha winning the match 4-1.

The Hardline match between Hockey Gangpur - Odisha and Hockey Karnataka was an intense clash as the former managed to outwit the latter to win the game 5-3. The proceedings for the day started as early as the 6th minute when Pavan M Madiwalar scored though a field goal taking Hockey Karnataka to a lead of 1-0. 

Looking for the equalising goal Hockey Gangpur Odisha stuck in the 11thminute which was the result of the field efforts by Biraj Topno. Just before going onto break, Hockey Gangpur Odisha managed to take the lead in the game when a penalty corner was struck on target by Biraj Topno which even marked his second consecutive goal in the match. 

With a 2-1 lead in the game, Hockey Gangpur Odisha came back with a strong intent to continue their hold in the game. 38th and 44th minute saw the team adding two more goals to their tally, taking the scorecard to 4-1. Hockey Karnataka looking at coming back into the game scored in the 52nd minute as Likhith B. M scored through an amazing field effort. 

Hockey Gangpur Odisha not deterred by this, yet again scored the very next minute and the scorecard read 5-2. In a desperate attempt to score, Hockey Karnataka scored through a penalty corner but it was late as Hockey Gangpur Odisha won 5-3 and which allowed them to take the 3rd position in the tournament.

RESULTS OF THE DAY-

Final Hockey Odisha 4 Ashwin Kujur (10min- FG), Sudhir Kujur (14min- FG), Suman Beck (27min- PS), Pradeep Lakra (69min- FG) vs Hockey Haryana 1 Abhishek (43min- FG)

3rd / 4th Position: Hockey Gangpur - Odisha 5 Biraj Topno (11 min-FG, 34 min-PC), Nahas Barwa (38 min-FG), Mandip Kerketta (44 min-FG), Ibrahim Toppo (53 min-FG) vs Hockey Karnataka 3 Pavan M Madiwalar (6 min-FG), Likhith B. M (52 min-FG), Rajesh (60 min-PC)

HI Press release