s2h team
Star-studded Uttar Pradesh dashed the hopes of hosts Tamil Nadu in the quarterfinal in the ongoing 14th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai. Manipur, Haryana and Odisha joined Uttar Presh in the semi-final lineup.
Earlier in the day, Manipur defeated Punjab 3-3, (4-3 SO) in the first Quarter Final of the day. Both teams were locked in a 3-3 draw during regulation time. Cyril Lagun (14’, 36’, 51’) scored a hat-trick for Manipur Hockey. For Hockey Punjab, Ravneet Singh (24’, 59’) and Maninder Singh (18’) were the goal scorers.
In the ensuing shootout, Manipur’s Goalkeeper Hemam Dhanaraj Singh made two crucial saves while Nilakanta Sharma, who was on target twice, Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh, and Khadangbam Kothajit Singh successfully converted their chances to secure the
win for Manipur Hockey.
In the second Quarter-Final, Haryana defeated Maharashtra, 5-1. Maharashtra were leading for a majority of the encounter through an early breakthrough from Aniket Gaurav (12’). However, Hockey Haryana rallied in the final quarter to score five goals. Rohit (53’, 59’, 60’) led the charge with a late hat-trick along with goals from Rajinder Singh (48’) and Pankaj (54’) to complete the victory for Haryana.
Uttar Pradesh defeated Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu, 3-1, in the third Quarter-Final. Chandan Singh (3’) struck first to break the deadlock for Uttar Pradesh Hockey. Shanmugavel S (9’) provided the equaliser Tamil Nadu before Rajkumar Pal (18’) and Captain, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (34’) added to Uttar Pradesh’s tally and ensured victory.
In the last Quarter-Final, Odisha defeated Karnataka (3-1 SO) after both teams were locked in a 3-3 draw. Pruthvi Raj GN (5) gave Hockey Karnataka the lead followed by goals from Bharath Mahalingappa Kurtakoti (11’) and Vishwas (26’). Hockey Association of Odisha’s scorers included Mangal Lohar (14’), Shilanand Lakra (20’), and Pratap Lakra (50’).
In the shootout, Odisha’s Goalkeeper, Sahil Kumar Nayak conceded only once, while Sudeep Chirmako, Matiyas Dang and Shilanand Lakra found the back of the net to pave their path into the semis. .
Haryana will clash against Uttar Pradesh while Manipur will face Odisha in the semis on Friday.