Hockey Odisha beats Uttar Pradesh Hockey to lift Sub-Junior Men’s National Championship (A Division) title
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Hockey Odisha managed to defeat Uttar Pradesh Hockey by 3-1 goals in the shootout to win the ninth Hockey India Sub-Junior Men’s National Championship A Division title in Raipur. Hockey Jharkhand finished third as they got the better of the Sports Authority of India by 3-0 goals.
Odisha Hockey opened the scoring in 24th minute via a penalty corner converted to perfection by skipper Laban Lugun. In the third quarter, Uttar Pradesh Hockey brought parity as skipper Sourabh Anand scored in the 38th minute. In the final quarter, Uttar Pradesh Hockey took the lead as Ankit Prajapati scored in the 49th minute. But three minutes later, Odisha Hockey equalized via Prabin Indwar.
At the end of regulation time, both teams were locked at 2-2. In the shootout, Laban Lugun, Rajmon Teli and Rosan Kujur scored for Odisha Hockey. For Uttar Pradesh Hockey, Chandan Yadav opened the account, but Ajay Yadav and Sujit Kumar couldn’t convert their chances. Mohammad Haris’s miss, the fourth of Uttar Pradesh Hockey’s attempt, meant the match was all but over for them as Odisha Hockey went home as winners with 3-1 via shootout.
In the 3rd-4th place match played earlier in the day, Hockey Jharkhand beat Sports Authority of India 3-0. Flabius Tirkey opened the account for Hockey Jharkhand in the ninth minute. The next two quarters went goalless. But 4th quarter, Hockey Jharkhand showed their intent to close the match in their favour. Deepak Soreng doubled Hockey Jharkhand’s lead in the 48th minute and four minutes later Joseph Topno scored via a penalty shot to ensure his team was home.
