~ Hockey Rajasthan beat Hockey Mizoram 6-3 ~
~ Hockey Uttarakhand beat Hockey Puducherry 3-1 ~
~ Hockey Bengaluru beat Hockey Coorg 5-4 ~
Bhopal, 16 April 2017: Day 3 of Hockey India’s 7th Junior National Hockey Championship 2017 (Men) ‘B’ Division witnessed high action as teams played out their pool games, looking to cement their spot in the Quarter-finals.
The day’s action kicked off with the Pool A game between Hockey Rajasthan and Hockey Mizoram. Hockey Mizoram were the first to strike, with two quick goals in the first five minutes, first via Lalrinnunga (3’) and then Lalrinfela (4’). Despite the early setback, Hockey Rajasthan gradually settled into the game, and took the lead into half time courtesy of goals by Praveen Singh (10’) and Vijendra Singh Rathore (15’, 31’). Rathore would complete his hat trick (51’), in a dominant second half performance as Hockey Rajasthan ran out 6-3 winners.
Hockey Uttarakhand beat Hockey Puducherry 3-1 in their Pool C encounter. Hockey Puducherry struck the first goal via E Yuvaraj in the 10th minute. From then on though Hockey Uttarakhand took complete control of the game. Mintu Mautiyal (25’) scored the equaliser for them leading into half time. In the second half goals by Lokesh Bora (45’) and Sumit Kumar (66’) gave them a comfortable 3-1 victory.
In Pool D’s high-scoring thriller, Hockey Bengaluru beat Hockey Coorg 5-4. Hockey Bengaluru started the scoring in the 2nd minute, Santosh Karisiri converting from a PC to give them the lead. Hockey Coorg hit soon though, with a goal from MP Dilan in the 8th minute to draw level. With both teams looking to play uninhibited attacking hockey, it was Hockey Coorg’s R Pawan Madivala (21’) and CP Thammaiah (23’) scoring in quick succession giving them the lead. Hockey Bengaluru hit back with two quick strikes of their own via D Chiranth Somanna (27’) and HR Dishanth (33’). Right on the stroke of half time though, Hockey Coorg struck again via Mohd. Fahad to take the lead. In the second half, it was all Hockey Bengaluru as they tightened the hatches at the back and scored twice upfront—first via Abilash Stalin (43’) and the via Sukhrm Dodray (61’) to edge out a 5-4 victory.
In matches played later in the day on April 15, Sports Authority of Gujarat – Hockey Academy beat Hockey Gujarat 12-0 while Hockey Coorg beat Namdhari XI 3-2.
HOCKEY INDIA TEAM PARTNERS
Sahara
Shiv Naresh
About HOCKEY INDIA
HOCKEY INDIA (HI) is the governing body having an exclusive mandate to direct and conduct all activities for both men and women hockey in India. It is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India as the sole body responsible towards promoting Hockey in India. Headquartered in New Delhi, Hockey India was established on 20th May, 2009 and is affiliated to the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Asian Hockey Federation (AHF). Committed to the development of Hockey in the country, Hockey India with the assistance of Sports Authority of India and Department of Sports, Government of India, has drawn out a Long-Term Development Programme (LTDP) to train players, provide world-class infrastructure and International exposure besides regular international competition. With its vision to popularize the game and constantly promote it, Hockey India is dedicated to getting our team into the top three in the world.
Follow us on: www.hockeyindia.org | Twitter: @TheHockeyIndia | Facebook: Hockey India