Punjab face Odisha in National Junior hockey final

Lucknow, September 8, 2012: Favourites Punjab set up a high voltage summit clash with last year’s finalist Odisha in the 2nd Junior National Men Hockey Championship here tomorrow.

In the semi-finals today, Punjab defeated defending champions Haryana 4-2 in an exciting encounter, where as Odisha mauled SAI Bhopal 6-1 in a lopsided affair, at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in Guru Govind Singh Sports College.

Punjab men dominated the semi-finals clash with a fine display of stick work. A side with the talented youngsters who represented India in the Junior Asia Cup recently concluded at Malaysia played excellent game. Akashdeep Singh, Satbir Singh, Mandeep Singh, Harjeet Singh and Sukhmanjeet Singh are the players who were part of Junior Asia Cup.

There had been some tough resistance from Haryana players in the first half. The two teams were locked in 1-1 draw. But in the second half they lost the steam and match too.

Akashdeep Singh (6th minute), Gurjinder Singh (59th  and 70th minute) and Jarmanpreet Singh (64th minute) were the goal-scorers for Punjab. Gagandeep Singh scored both the goals for Haryana, each in 29th and 54th minutes.

"All the boys gave their best to book place in the final of this Championship. I am hopeful that we will play well in tomorrow’s game and win the title. We have seen some of the games of Odisha team and will plan strategy accordingly," said Akashdeep Singh, member of the Punjab team.

Playing an aggressive hockey Odisha had an upper hand over the rivals from the word go and were leading by 3-1 at the half time. Captain Amit Rohidas (12th, 57th), Bikash Kujur (18th, 24th), Josech Toppo (45th) and Saroj Eekka (63rd) scored for the winners, while Nitesh struck for SAI Bhopal (6th).

Hockey India Press release