PANAJI
Defending champions Hockey Jharkhand will take on Uttar Pradesh Hockey in the final of the 12th Hockey India sub-junior men's national championship, after registering contrasting wins in their respective semifinal matches at Peddem Sports Complex on Saturday. While the first semi-final turned out to be a close contest, the second was a one-sided affair.
Hockey Jharkhand beat the Hockey Association of Odisha 3-1 in the shootout after the scores were tied 1-1 at the end of the regulation 60 minutes. Sanjit Tirkey (38') gave the Association of Odisha the lead, which was short-lived as Abhishek Tigga (39') equalised for the winning team a minute later. In the shootout, Rohit Tirkey, Asim Ekka, and Abhishek Tigga converted their chances for Hockey Jharkhand, while Hockey Association of Odisha's lone goal from the shootout was scored by skipper Arbin Toppo.
Later in the day, Uttar Pradesh Hockey registered a comfortable win over Haryana Hockey in the second semifinal. Captain Manoj Yadav (13', 14', 34', 36') scored four goals, Ajeet Yadav (26', 49') and Mohd Zaid Khan (37', 55') scored a brace each to help Uttar Pradesh Hockey seal a place in the title clash.
The 3rd/4th place match between Hockey Association of Odisha and Hockey Haryana will be played at 7 am, while the final between Hockey Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh Hockey will take place at 4 pm on Sunday.
