30-Aug-2008 96
Host Orissa bowed out of the 21st Sub-junior National Girls`` Hockey Championship when they lost to defending champions Haryana 3-1 in the first semifinal at the Panposh Sports Hostel ground in Rourkela today. Haryana set up the final against Jharkhand, who thrashed Uttar Pradesh 4-0 in the second semifinal of the day.
Orissa raised hopes of the local crowd when Poonam Barla drew first blood in the 12th minute and skipper Amrita Xaxa saved a certain goal. But the joy in the Orissa camp proved to be shortlived when Rajni scored the equaliser for Haryana in the 38th minute. She struck again, three minutes later to give her side a 2-1 lead. The fate of Orissa was finally sealed when Rani completed the tally for Haryana in the 62nd minutes.
In the other semifinal at the same venue, Sabnam Lakra (17th, 67th), Asha Kumari (21st) and Mukta Mundu (52nd) scored the four goals to give Jharkhand an easy win.
