UP girls lose in national hockey semi-final

LUCKNOW :Finally, it was the end of the road for favourites Uttar Pradesh in the 8th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2018 (A Division) in Bhopal on Friday as they went down meekly to Haryana 0-5 in their semi-final encounter. In the second semi-final, Hockey Jharkhand beat Hockey Gangpur-Odisha 2-0. Hockey Haryana scored four goals in the first half to take a comprehensive lead. Deepika opened the account for the winners in the third minute. Ninth minute Amrinder Kaur doubled the lead. Reet scored two goals through penalty corners in a space of five minutes as the first half ended at 4-0. Skipper Navneet Kaur’s 43rd minute goal was the last of the match, the one that sealed the deal for her side. In the second semi-final, winners dominated right from the start and were superior with their defence as they ensured Hockey Gangpur-Odisha scored no goal in the match. In-form Salima Tete, who recently took part in the Youth Olympic Games Qualifiers in Bangkok where India finished second, scored the first goal in the 17th minute. Pinkki Ekka scored the second goal in the 60th minute to ensure Hockey Jharkhand make it to the final in style. Now, on Saturday, Uttar Pradesh Hockey will take on Hockey Gangpur- Odisha in the bronze medal match at 8.00 a.m.

HOCKEY HARYANA SCORED FOUR GOALS IN THE FIRST HALF TO TAKE A COMPREHENSIVE LEAD. DEEPIKA OPENED THE ACCOUNT FOR THE WINNERS IN THE THIRD MINUTE. NINTH MINUTE AMRINDER KAUR DOUBLED THE LEAD