Yogita, Mumtaz strike three goals each as UP eves off to a fine start

Yogita Bora and Mumtaz Khan three goals each as favourites Uttar Pradesh were off to a flying start at the Hockey India 7th Senior National Championships 2017 (Women) ‘A’ Division, crushing Tamil Nadu 9-1 at Rohtak on Thursday.

Yogita struck in the 14th, 34th and 36th minutes, whereas Mumtaz netted in 9th, 26th and 59th minutes to help UP start with a fascinating win in a Pool C match. M Mohanapriya (42nd) struck the consolation goal for Tamil Nadu.

Uttar Pradesh girls dominated the proceedings from the very start and kept toying with rivals.

Both Yogita and Mumtaz were unstoppable to the rivals, who were almost begging for the ball.

Earlier, at the Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy beat Hockey Patiala 7-0. Goals for Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy were scored by Jyoti Pal (7th), Th Suman Devi (15th), Sarita Devi Brahmachariyum (17th, 42nd), Karishma Singh (30th), Upasana Singh (35th) and Anjali Gautam (37th.

In Pool A, Association of Indian Universities beat Hockey Gangpur – Odisha 5-2. Jyoti Gupta (11th, 14th) and Narinder Kaur (25th, 55th) scored a brace each in their commanding victory. The two goals for Hockey Gangpur – Odisha were scored by Rinki Kujur (35th, 39th).

Hockey Jharkhand beat Hockey Punjab 4-1 in their Pool B encounter. Sangita Kumari was the star performer for Hockey Jharkhand, scoring a superb hat trick (5th, 18th, 47th) to give Jharkhand the victory. Hockey Punjab’s goal was scored by Anu Bala (44th).

In Pool D’s game, Hockey Odisha edged out Hockey Maharashtra by a solitary goal. Elima Minz scored the all-important in the 27th minute.