Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand to clash in finals of 14th Hockey India Sub-Junior Women Championship

Jharkhand ultimately emerged victorious, booking their spot in the final, while Madhya Pradesh has been in top form throughout the tournament.

Hyderabad: In exciting semifinal clashes at the 14th Hockey India Sub-Junior Women Championship, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand secured victories at the RRC Grounds, Secunderabad, on Thursday to progress to the final.

Madhya Pradesh earned a hard-fought 3-2 win against Mizoram, thanks to Tanvi’s decisive penalty corner conversion in the 56th minute. Meanwhile, last year’s runners-up, Jharkhand, faced a tough challenge against Odisha, with a shootout needed to determine the winner. Jharkhand prevailed 3-2 in the shootout after both teams were locked 1-1 at the end of full-time.

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In the first semifinal, Mizoram started strongly, taking just three minutes to open the scoring through Ruthi Lallawmzuali’s penalty corner conversion. Madhya Pradesh, who have been in top form throughout the tournament, were caught off guard but mounted a counterattack. It took them nearly 10 minutes to equalise, with Naz Nousheen finding the back of the net with a field goal to end the first quarter at 1-1.

The second quarter saw a cat-and-mouse battle as both sides sought to breach the opposition’s defence, but neither could capitalise on their half-chances. Two minutes after half-time, Madhya Pradesh seized the lead as Rubi Rathore scored a field goal. Mizoram fought valiantly for 20 minutes in search of an equalizer, and their persistence paid off in the 52nd minute when skipper Laltlanchhungi converted a penalty corner. However, Tanvi had the final say, sealing Madhya Pradesh’s place in the final with a decisive strike just four minutes before full-time.

The second semifinal between Jharkhand and Odisha was an intense, defensive contest. Jharkhand took an early lead in the 8th minute through Pushpa Manjhi. Odisha pushed hard for an equaliser, but Jharkhand’s defence held firm. After a goalless second quarter, Odisha finally broke through in the dying moments of the third quarter to level the scores at 1-1.

With the match still tied at full-time, the contest was decided by a shootout. Jharkhand’s Leoni Hemrom, Rina Kullu, and Anupriya Soreng successfully converted their attempts, while Odisha’s Tanisha Ekka and Priyanka Minz found the target. Jharkhand ultimately emerged victorious, booking their spot in the final.