Bhubaneswar, 23 March 2021: A test of challenge await top four Hockey Academy teams of India, as the first-ever Hockey India Academy Sub-Jr Nationals reaching its business end. SAI- Academy, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy, Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre and Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy who have made it to the semifinal. The semis will be held tomorrow, the second one under floodlights.

SAI Academy, which won all its four matches to top the pool, will seek to keep up the momentum as they take on traditionally strong Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy (MPHA) outfit in the first semi-final at the Kalinga Stadium.

SAI-Academy coach Pradeep Kumar Sarangi: “I am happy with the team’s performance despite we  didn’t get much time to prepare due to pandemic.  I am sure the results of the league stage wont count much in the semis; it will only depend on how the team approaches the game. My rival team from Gwalior ((MPHA)) are a very good team and they are definitely going to challenge us. My team, I feel, is capable of overcoming any kind of challenge, but they will deal with the situations positively. I also believe if they play with the same intent, they can win the trophy as well.”

Coach Paramjit Singh with his recent famous wards

MPHA on the other hand, won three of four league stage matches and finished second in Pool B. Having scored as many as 57 goals, the MPHA are the top goal scorers here in Bhubaneswar. They also registered a monumental 42-0 win in the tournament ( Vs Tamil Nadu Hockey Academy).

MPHA coach  Paramjit Singh said: “A lot of players in the team are playing their firsttournament of their life. Our target before coming here was to be in the top four, which is done. Therefore, there’s no pressure. There is also no fear as such locking horns against an unbeaten team in the semi-finals. I want my girls to enjoy the game, and make the most out of it”.

The second semi-final will witness Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre square off against Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy, who are coming off from a remarkable come-from-behind 5-3 win over Markandeshwar Hockey Academy in their last league stage match.

Roundglass Punjab Hockey Club Academy coach Jyoti Kamboj was overwhelmed with her side making it to the semi-finals at the very last moment.

“We were not fully prepared, then earning a spot in the semis especially after win in the last match made our campaign a memorable one. My girls  showed great character to turn things around in their favour at the last minute. It has boosted the team’s morale and confidence and I am sure my girls will give their 100% tomorrow”. 

Meanwhile, Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre coach Sandeep Kaur expressed that the team is confident of winning the match.

“Girls have been performing so well and hope they continue to do so. They are confident enough to win the match. Of course, it is going to be a challenging game for us because everyone wants to win, and I feel those who will play well will definitely win”, said Sandeep Kaur.

Semifinal 1: SAI- Academy Vs Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy: 16:30 hrs.

Semifinal 2 : Roundglass Academy Vs Naval Tata High Performance Centre: 18:30 hrs