Sonia slams three for Manipur

In-form Sonia Devi scored a treble as Manipur eased to a 6-0 win over Vidarbha and march into the semifinals Hockey India Women’s Junior National Championship (B Division) here on Friday.

Bidyarani Devi collected a brace while Gitarani Devi sounded the board once as Manipur registered their third straight win of Pool A, notching up a perfect nine points and sealing their last-four spot at the Chamundi Vihar grounds.

After Sonia Devia began the scoring in the 17th minute, Gitarani doubled the advantage in the 22nd. 

Bidyarani got in on the act four minutes into the second half before scoring her second in the 47th minute. 

Sonia scored her second in the 49th before completing her treble in the 60th.Earlier, Chhattisgarh too advanced to semifinals after Mizoram failed to turn up in their Pool C encounter. 

Having already received a walkover in their opening game against Himachal Pradesh and beaten Goa 13-0 on Thursday, Chhattisgarh’s place was almost confirmed until Mizoram made their appearence from nowhere.

Meanwhile, Mamta Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt hammered five goals apiece as Uttarakhand romped to a consolation 18-0 win over Tripura in Pool A. Surbhi Tiwari and Anita Maletha slotted four apiece.

Results: Pool A: Manipur: 6 (Sonia Devi 17th, 49th, 60th, Gitarani Devi 22nd, Bidyarani Devi 39th, 47th) bt Vidarbha: 0; Uttarakhand: 18 (Mamta Bhatt 3rd, 13th, 22nd, 49th, 65th, Surbhi Tiwari 5th, 10th, 33rd, 36th, Pooja Bhatt 9th, 21st, 45th, 64th, 68th, Anita Maletha 15th, 26th, 62nd, 70th) bt Tripura: 0.

Pool C: Chhattisgarh w/o Mizoram; Goa w/o Himachal Pradesh.