Hockey Junior Women Championship: MP to fight with Haryana in Final

Haryana defeated Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy overcame Hockey Odisha to enter the finals of the 4 th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2014 (Division A) to be played at Chamundi Vihar Hockey Ground in Mysore tomorrow.

In the first semi-final played today, defending champions Haryana easily defeated Jharkhand 10-1. Haryana started off a destructive game from the very 5^th minute of the game when Jyoti Gupta struck an impressive field goal, which was supported by Narinder Kaur, Pooja Rani and Reet in the 9, 14 and 19 minute of the game showcasing a promising match. Haryana's Reet stroked two more goals in the second half in the 40 and the 53minute making her the top scorer for the team. Jharkhand’s opening goal and the lone one came through Anupam Horo in the 30 th minute but the team failed to support or penetrate any further goals.

In the second semi-final, played between Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy and Hockey Odisha, saw an exciting clash between the teams as none of the two were ready to give up easily. In this rigid fight Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy emerged as the second team qualifying to play the finals as they defeated Hockey Odisha by a close 3-2. Rakhi Prajapati of Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy penetrated first goal in the 3 rd minute itself to take the lead by 1-0, but was immediately answered back by Hockey Odisha's Captain Ambika Toppo in the 6 thminute of the game through a penalty corner and leveled the score at 1-1.

It was Anuja Singh of Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy who helped snatching the lead back in the 12th minute by 2 goals to 1. The second half of the match saw another inspiring goal from Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy's Rakhi Prajapati in the 47^th minute and taking the ahead by 3-1. The only chance Hockey Odisha got to flick in another goal was just a minute before the final hooter went off, when Captain Ambika Toppo pierced in another penalty corner in the 69 minute of the game. Unsupported by the team Captain Ambika Toppo only managed to reduce the goal margin and ultimately lost to Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy 3-2.

The stage is set for tomorrow in Mysore as Haryana and Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy gear up to fight it out and claim the title of the 4th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2014 (Division A)