BHUBANESWAR 22-Apr-2015 42
Runners-up in first four editions, Hockey Odisha finally won the Division A title in the 5th Junior Men National Hockey Championship, edging out Hockey Punjab 4-3 in the nail-biting final at Mysore today.
With Hockey Gangpur-Odisha bagging their maiden Division B title at the same place 10 days ago, Odisha as a state thus completed a glorious double in the highest junior domestic competition of the country.
Sumit Toppo was the hero of Hockey Odisha`s memorable triumph, scoring three goals. Trailing 1-2 at the half-way mark, Hockey Odisha struck thrice in the second half to pull off a thrilling victory.
Earlier in the semifinals, Hockey Odisha thrashed Hockey Haryana 3-1. Led by Prasant Tirkey, Hockey Odisha won all three of their Pool B matches to qualify for the semifinals. They beat Hockey Bhopal 4-1, Hockey Karnataka 3-0 and Manipur Hockey 6-1.
HOCKEY ODISHA RESULTS:
April 14: Hockey Odisha (Kunjan Topno 46-FG, Sanjib Ekka 51-FG, Prasant Tirky 54-FG, Nitin Mukesh Tigga 66-FG) beat Hockey Bhopal (Mohammad Umar 16-FG) 4-1.
April 15: Hockey Odisha (Sanjit Toppo 14-PS, Sumit Toppo 43-FG, Nitin Mukesh Tigga 66-FG) beat Hockey Karnataka 3-0.
April 17: Hockey Odisha (Suman Kujjur 18-PC, 42-PC; Nitin Mukesh Tigga 22-FG, 60-FG; Sumit Toppo 65-FG, Sudhir Kujur 69-FG) beat Manipur Hockey (R Moiragthem 6-FG) 6-1.
April 21 (SF): Hockey Odisha (Suman Kujur 53-PC, 55-PC; Prakash Barla 63-FG) beat Hockey Haryana (Santa Singh 56-FG) 3-1.
April 22 (Final): Hockey Odisha (Sumit Toppo 27-FG, 48-PC, 61-FG; Prakash Barla 41-PC) beat Hockey Punjab (Harjeet Singh 19-FG, Simranjit Singh 33-FG, Ajit Pandit 68-FG) 4-3.
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PHOTO: Hockey Odisha boys lift the Division A Junior National Trophy in Mysore on April 22, 2015.
