BHUBANESWAR 14-Feb-2016
Early setbacks cost dear as both the Odisha teams fail to reach semifinals of the 6th Sub-junior Women National Hockey Championship (Division-A), held at Rohtak, Haryana from Feb 8 to 14. Sports Authority of India won the title, defeating Hockey Punjan in the final by 2-1 goals.
Hockey Odisha team, led by Priyanka Kujur, suffered a 1-6 defeat against eventual champions SAI in their opening match. They, of course, won their last two Pool-C matches by big margins, but the wins were not enough to earn them a ticket to the last-four stage.
Similarly, Rinki Kujur-led Hockey Gangpur-Odisha team started off on a lack-lustre note as they were held to a 1-1 draw by host Hockey Haryana. This result ultimately spoiled their chances of reaching semifinals, even though they posted convincing wins in their remaining two Pool-D games.
HOCKEY ODISHA TEAM: Kumudini Lakra, Arti Bilung, Bharti Ekka, Sarita Kerketta, Priyanka Kujur, Jelin Soreng, Suneli Oram, Nimabati Singh, Manisa Minz, Mamata Kindo, Ajmina Kujur, Sangeeta Tirkey, Rashmi Kishan, Bimla Barwa, Puspanjali Behera, Nitu Lakra, Abinasi Mukti Surin, Neha Lakra. Coach: Amulyananda Bihari; Manager: Alicebala Swain.
HOCKEY ODISHA RESULTS:
Feb 8: Sports Authority of India beat Hockey Odisha (Nimabati Singh) 6-1.
Feb 9: Hockey Odisha (Bimla Barwa 2, Bharti Ekka 2, Nitu Lakra, Abinasi Mukti Surin 1 each) beat Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu 6-0.
Feb 11: Hockey Odisha (Bimla Barwa 3, Sarita Kerketta 2, Abinasi Mukti Surin 2, Ajmina Kujur, Priyanka Kujur, Mamta Kindo 1 each) beat Hockey Chhattisgarh Hockey 10-1.
HOCKEY-GANGPUR ODISHA TEAM: Madhuri Kindo (Goalkeeper), Philicia Toppo, Rahi Tirkey, Binita Kujur, Rinki Kujur (Captain), Janhabi Pradhan, Premanjali Toppo, Jiwan Kishori Toppo, Namrata Jasmin Bara, Sushanti Minz, Rojita Kujur, Laxmi Ekka, Jyoti Chatri, Manisha Oram, Sameera Lakra, Mukta Jojo, Arati Xalxo, Sainaz Khatun (Goalkeeper). Coach: Nilima Kujur (Ex-international player); Manager: P K Kaistha.
HOCKEY GANGPUR-ODISHA RESULTS:
Feb 8: Hockey Gangpur-Odisha (Namrata Jasmin Bara) drew with Hockey Haryana 1-1.
Feb 9: Hockey Gangpur-Odisha beat Hockey Karnataka 3-1.
Feb 11: Hockey Gangpur-Odisha (Janhabi Pradhan 4, Jiwan Kishori Toppo 4, Rojita Kujur 3, Rinki Kujur 2, Manisha Oram 1) beat Hockey Andhra Pradesh 14-1.
