Hosts lose in finals, Karnataka men, Haryana women triumph

LUCKNOW : There is many a slip between the cup and the lip--the saying proved true for hosts Uttar Pradesh at the 5-a-side Senior National Hockey Championship at Kanpur on Friday--as they lost in both men and women categories in contrasting manner.

Two-time champions Hockey Karnataka went on completing their hat-trick of titles in the men’s section, crushing hosts 7-3, whereas Hockey Haryana brush aside UP Hockey 4-2, at the Green Park Stadium.

This was UP’s third successive loss in the finals after losing to Hockey Haryana in the combined event final on Thursday.

Hockey Punjab beat Hockey Odisha 2-0 to clinch the bronze medal in the men’s category, whereas in the women’s category, Hockey Jharkhand notched up a thrilling 3-2 win against Hockey Odisha early in the day.

The difference between Hockey Karnataka and hosts was quite evident as the winners were running line a well-oiled machine, leaving the home boys running for the ball for a long time. Abharan Sudev struck back-to-back goals in the second and third minutes, respectively to put the visitors into 2-0 lead.

In a twist of tale, front-man Raj Kumar Pal struck in the fourth minute to reduce the margin (1-2), before captain Mohd Amirt Khan netting consecutive goals, one each in the sixth and ninth minutes, to guide the side take 3-2 lead. But a change in ends also changed the complexion of the game all of a sudden.

This time, Hockey Karnataka looked a different side and completely outplayed the rivals in their own den, sounding the board on five occasions. The scorers in the second half were Mohammed Raheel Mouseen (11’), Somaiah KP (12’), BM Likhit (15’, 20’) and Abharan Sudev (17’). UP men couldn’t add even a goal to their tally in the second half. Player-to-player marking remained the highlights of the Hockey Haryana dominance in the women’s final against the hosts. Monika Sihag surprised local girls with an amazing ball control and a fine stick work with goals in the sixth and seventh minute (2-0). Deepika extended the lead with another goal in the eight minutes as Haryana sit comfortable at 3-0 lead at break.

Uttar Pradesh tried to fight back with a couple of goals in the second half though Anuja Singh (12’, 13’), but Hockey Haryana ensured that they stayed in the lead throughout the match with Deepika striking her second goal in the 16th minute (4-2).

Hockey Punjab beat Hockey Odisha 2-0 to clinch the Bronze Medal in the Men’s category. The two sides played out a hardfought match wherein Hockey Punjab managed to keep Hockey Odisha at bay. Hockey Punjab set the ball rolling with a goal in the 5th minute and maintained a 1-0 lead until they scored their second goal in the 20th minute. Hockey Odisha tried their best, but they couldn’t capitalise on their chances. Karanbir Singh (5’) and Surdarshan Singh (20’) were the scorers for Hockey Punjab.

THIS WAS UP’S THIRD SUCCESSIVE LOSS IN THE FINALS AFTER LOSING TO HOCKEY HARYANA IN THE COMBINED EVENT FINAL ON THURSDAY