Saifai (Uttar Pradesh), 2 May 2015: The 5th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship 2015 (Division A), witnessed two powerful clashes to win the race for the Finals.

Entering into the final phase, Railway Sports Promotion Board will fight against Hockey Jharkhand to lift the title on the 3rd May 2015. Whereas, Punjab Hockey and Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy will clash for the 3/4th position of the tournament on the same day.

The first fight for the finals between Railway Sports Promotion Board and Hockey Punjab was a one sided match where Railway Sports Promotion Board blanked the opponents with 8-0 and booked their berth as one of the finalists. The second clash was a neck to neck competition which ended with a victory of Hockey Jharkhand who defeated Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy with 3-2

In the first semi-final clash for the day, it was Railway Sports Promotion Board who emerged victorious going on to claim the Finale spot tomorrow. In a one sided match Railway Sports Promotion Board, it was Soundarya Yendala who opened the account for her team as she scored through a brilliant field goal in the 7th minute. This was followed by two quick back to back goals in the 9th and 10th minute by Anuradha Devi TH giving her team a 3-0 lead and leaving the opponents frustrated. Just before the end of first half, Railway Sports Promotion Board added one more goal to the tally in the 24th minute when Amandeep Kaur deflected a beautiful pass and taking the scores to 4-0. Second half unveiled the same story as Railway Sports Promotion Board continued its dominance and registered goals at regular intervals. Minute 40th and 43rd marked two more goals coming from the stick of Manjit Kaur and Anuradha Devi TH. This was followed by two quick goals in the 50th and 51st minute, resulting in Railway Sports Promotion Board winning the semi-final clash against Hockey Punjab and advancing to the Finals tomorrow.

The second semi final clash was a neck to neck competition between Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy and Hockey Jharkhand which resulted in favour of Hockey Jharkhand who defeated the opponents with 3-2. The first half of the match itself saw crucial moments where both the teams were trying to get better of each other and score the first goal. However, it was Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy which opened their account first with a field goal in the 15th minute of the game coming from Ramngaihuuali R. Hockey Jhrakhand did not wait for the second half and retaliated for this shot in the 30th minute when Anima Minz struck the first goal for the team which was a field goal concluding the first half with a draw 1-1. The second half was more of a struggle by both the teams to lead. By the last minute there were no further goals leading to a draw between both the teams and called for a shoot out phase. Hockey Jharkhand kept its nerves against Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy and enter the finals.

Results of the day-

Semi-Finals 1 – Railway Sports Promotion Board 8 Soundaraya Yendala (7 min-FG), Anuradha Devi TH (9 min-FG, 10 min-PC, 43 min-FG), Amandeep Kaur (24 min-FG), Manjit Kautr (40 min-PC), Punam Barla (50 min-FG), Navjot Kaur (51 min-PC), vs Hockey Punjab 0

Semi Finals 2 – Hockey Jharkhand 1 Anima Minz (30 mins-FG) vs Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy 1 Ramngaihuuali R (15 mins-FG)

Shoot Out Phase – Madhya Pradesh Hockey 2 Kavita Vidyarathi, Shivani Singh vs Hockey Jharkhand 2 Etwari Mundu, Rookmany Dodray

Sudden Death – Hockey Jharkhand 1 Etwari Mundu