In a day of thrilling outcomes, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Punjab secured their spots in the semi-finals of the 15th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship. The quarterfinals, held in Jalandhar on Wednesday, saw a mix of tight, nail-biting finishes and a one-sided demolition, setting the stage for an intriguing final four. The winners' perseverance was on full display, with the victors cementing their championship aspirations.
The action started with a high-stakes duel between Hockey Haryana and Hockey Karnataka, which concluded with a close 3-2 victory for Haryana. Navraj Singh (6’), Sachin (22’), and Chirag (59’) scored the crucial goals for the winning side, with Chirag netting the decisive goal in the final minutes. Nitesh Sharma (28’) and Sampan Ganapathy B.P (43’) kept Hockey Karnataka in the fight, but their efforts weren’t enough to overcome Haryana's attack. Following a rain-washed Tuesday, the evening saw Uttar Pradesh Hockey edge past Hockey Madhya Pradesh 2-1, thanks to goals from Satyam Pandey (34') and Akash Pal (47').
The dominant performance of the day came from the Hockey Association of Odisha, who completely overwhelmed Manipur Hockey in a stunning 9-0 victory. The team displayed a remarkable offensive prowess with eight different players finding the back of the net. Karan Lakra led the charge with a late brace (54’, 59’), while Bilkan Oram (4’), Ritik Lakra (25’), Yojin Minz (27’), Nitesh Minz (28’), Harun Minz (29’), Abhisek Topno (39’), and Deepak Pradhan (47’) all contributed to the massive win, leaving no doubt about their semifinal credentials.
To close out the day, the hosts, Hockey Punjab, pleased the home crowd by overpowering Hockey Jharkhand with a 4-1 win. Punjab's Japnit Singh (8’, 47’) was a standout performer, scoring two goals. Captain Gursewak Singh (4’) and Jobanpreet Singh (57’) also added to the tally, ensuring a comfortable victory. Despite a late consolation goal from Amrit Horo (59’), Hockey Jharkhand could not match the intensity of the home side.
With the quarterfinal stage now complete, the tournament heads to its climax. Hockey Haryana will face Uttar Pradesh Hockey in the first semifinal, while Hockey Punjab will take on the formidable Hockey Association of Odisha in the second. The winners of these matchups will compete for the championship title, promising two fiercely contested battles as the teams vie for the top prize in junior men's hockey.
