BHUBANESWAR 09-Sep-2012 170
Odisha squandered a 3-1 first-half lead to go down to Punjab 3-4 in the final of the 2nd Hockey India Junior Men`s National Championship at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in Lucknow today. With this defeat, Odisha settled with the runners-up trophy for the second year in succession. Last year, they had lost to Haryana in the final via tie-breaker.
Odisha striker Aman Mirash Tirkey was named as the Player of the tournament. Odisha scored a total of 27 goals in five matches and conceded seven. Bikash Kujur was the highest scorer for Odisha with eight goals, followed by captain Amit Rohidas with five goals.
ODISHA RESULTS:
Group B League:
Sept 2: Odisha (Bikash Kujur 20th, 68th; Alsem Lakra 7th) beat Manipur 3-1.
Sept 3: Odisha (Rajan Kandulna 49th, 51st, 53rd; Bikash Kujur 18th, 40th, 48th; Aman Mirash Tirkey 64th 67th; Joseph Toppo 37th, 40th; Amit Rohidas 32nd, Alsen Lakra 34th; Alok Barla 62nd) beat Tripura 13-0.
Sept 7 (Quarterfinal): Odisha (Amit Rohidas 60th, 68th) beat Karnataka 2-1.
Sept 8 (Semifinal): Odisha (Amit Rohidas 12th, 56th; Bikash Kujur 17th, 23rd; Joseph Toppo 49th; Saroj Ekka 61st) beat SAI Bhopal (MP) 6-1.
Sept 9 (Final): Odisha (Bikash Kujur 12th; Alsem Lakra 25th; Aman Mirash Tirkey 27th) lost to Punjab 3-4.
