Khelo India: Haryana emerge champions in U-17 men’s hockey

MUMBAI: Haryana defeated Punjab 1-0 in a closely contested final to emerge winners in the Under-17 men’s hockey competition of the second Khelo India Youth Games here Monday.

The all-important goal for Haryana came in the 40th minute and they successfully prevented their northern neighbours from seeking parity or overhauling the score line.

It was a nervy encounter for both the teams for most part of the first two quarters, but it was Haryana who finally managed to break the deadlock when they scored through a penalty corner which was converted by Sahil Sharma, a Hockey India statement said here.

Punjab threatened to breach the Haryana defence in the closing stages but could not find the equaliser and had to settle as the runners-up.

In the bronze medal match, it was Odisha who came out on top as they defeated Uttar Pradesh 3-2 in the penalty shootout after all the four quarters went goal-less.

Meanwhile, in the Under17 women’s competition, Haryana defeated hosts Maharashtra 5-0 in their Pool B match.

The other Pool B match saw Odisha defeat Mizoram by a fine margin of 4-2 to remain on top with six points from two matches.

In Under-21 women’s hockey competition, Haryana defeated Uttar Pradesh 4-2 to win their second consecutive match and top Pool B with six points. In the other Pool B match, Punjab registered their first win of the competition as they comprehensively beat Chandigarh 7-1, the statement added.