PANAJI
Goans Hockey suffered their third consecutive defeat in the 16th Hockey India Senior Men’s National Championship 2026 – Division B, losing 4-3 to Hockey Arunachal after surrendering a two-goal lead in their Pool B encounter.
Goa appeared poised for victory after establishing a 3-1 advantage, but Arunachal staged a remarkable comeback by scoring three successive goals. The defeat has intensified concerns over Goa’s campaign and the possibility of relegation to Division C.
Ali Akhtar opened the scoring for Goa with a field goal in the fourth minute, while Tejas Chavan doubled the lead in the 19th minute. Shivam Singh pulled one back for Arunachal through a field goal in the 22nd minute, but Govind Yadav restored Goa’s two-goal cushion by converting a penalty corner in the 24th minute.
Arunachal reduced the deficit when Manoj Yadav scored from a penalty corner in the 26th minute, making it 3-2. The second half proved decisive, with Abhinav Singh scoring a field goal in the 43rd minute to level the scores at 3-3. Manoj Yadav then converted another penalty corner in the 50th minute to complete Arunachal’s comeback and seal a 4-3 victory.
Three Straight Defeats Raise Alarm
Goa’s latest setback follows defeats against Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (5-1) on October 10 and Jharkhand (4-1) on October 11. LS Hari Rama scored Goa’s lone goal against Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu through a penalty stroke, while Tejas Chavan scored against Jharkhand through a field goal.
The three defeats have put Goa under considerable pressure, making their remaining fixtures crucial to their hopes of retaining Division B status.
Goalkeeper Substitution Under Scrutiny
The decision to substitute goalkeeper Aaban Shaikh has emerged as a major talking point. Critics have questioned whether the change was the right tactical move at a crucial stage of the match. With Goa eventually conceding three successive goals, the substitution has been described as a potentially costly blunder. However, its precise impact would require a closer assessment of the match circumstances and the team’s defensive performance.
Homegrown Talent Under Pressure
The defeat has renewed concerns about the future of Goan hockey and the efforts of homegrown players. The presence of nine outstation players in the squad has added to the debate over team composition and the development of local talent.
Goa’s players have worked hard to qualify for Division B, and relegation would be a major setback for the state’s hockey aspirations. The team willl look to regroup and address its defensive frailities in a bid to win their remaining matches and keep their campaign alive.
Although relegation to Division C is not yet confirmed, Goa’s next fixtures will be crucial in determining the team’s future in the competition.
