The Tribune: Punjab, HP, Haryana boys make early exit

Punjab and Himachal Pradesh failed to qualify for the semifinals of the junior men’s hockey National Championships in Raipur on Thursday.

Punjab, who needed a win to advance, were held to a 4-4 draw by Gangpur-Odisha in their final pool game. Gangpur-Odisha qualified because of a better goal difference.

HP thrashed Chhattisgarh 9-5 but it was not enough to see them through. Jharkhand qualified with a better goal difference.

Haryana thrashed Tamil Nadu 5-0 in their final pool game, but they were already out of contention after losing two matches.

In the semifinals on Saturday, Odisha will take on Jharkhand, while Gangpur-Odisha will face Sports Authority of India.