BHUBANESWAR 28-May-2013 227
Odisha achieved a hat-trick by winning the boys` title for the third time in a row in the Hockey India Sub-junior National Championship, the third edition of which concluded at Bhopal yesterday. In the lop-sided final, Odisha blanked Jharkhand 8-0.
Sudhir Kujur was the star of the Odisha victory, scoring four goals in the final (6th, 11th, 45th, 47th minutes). Nitin Mukesh Tigga (33rd), Ashwin Kujur (58th), Punit Kujur (60th) and Rakesh Tete (65th) were the other scoreres of the Odisha team.
Earlier in the semifinals, Odisha trounced Punjab 4-1. In the league stage, Odisha humbled Maharashtra 9-0, thrashed Karnataka 6-2 and drew with Jharkhand 4-4.
Odisha won the earlier two titles, defeating Haryana in the first edition at Gurgaon in 2011 and Madhya Pradesh in the second edition at Rohtak.
ODISHA TEAM: Riyadan Tidu, Ajay Kandulana, Deepsan Tirkey, Suman Kujur, Neelam Sanjib Xess, Milin Toppo, Suman Beck, Swarag Prakash Minz, Ashis Kumar Topno, Tikei Kujur, Biju Ekka, Suraj Minz, Amit Chirmako, Nitin Mukesh Tigga, Sudhir Kujur, Aswin Kujur, Punit Kujur, Rakesh Tete. Coach: P K Sarangi
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PHOTO: Sub-junior National Hockey champions Odisha team in Rourkela.
