Champs Railways to take on Punjab

Railways entered the final after comprehensively beating Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy (MPHA) 4-0 in the semifinals of the 6th Senior National Women’s Hockey Championship (A Division) at the Hockey Stadium on Saturday.

Railways will face Punjab in the summit clash, who ousted Odisha by a similar margin in the other last-four tie.

Navneet Kaur scored twice (1st and 53rd minutes) while Anupa Barla and Neha too found the net in the second and 33rd minutes respectively for Railways in a one-sided contest.
For the reigning champions, Navneet opened the scoring in the first minute when she tapped in the ball past a helpless Divya Thepe in the MPHA goal.

Anupa Barla doubled the advantage in the very next minute in a similar fashion after some good work by Neha and skipper Saundarya Yendala.

Railways wasted a good chance to increase their lead in the eighth minute when Navneet slammed her shot wide after receiving a piercing pass from Neha.

Railways added another one in the 33rd minute as Neha made the most of a Navneet pass as she dodged her marker inside the striking area and slid the ball past the ’keeper.
Odisha finish third

At the 6th Senior National Men’s Hockey Championships (A Division) in Etawah, UP, Odisha pummeled Association of Indian Universities (AIU) 4-0 to claim the bronze medal.
Odisha were led by a brace from Kunjan Topno (35th min, 52nd min), while Dipsan Tirkey (36th min) and Sanjeep Xess (54th min) scored goal apiece to complete the rout.

Results: Women Semifinals: Railways Sports Promotion Board: 4 (Navneet Kaur 1st, 53rd, Anupa Barla 2nd, Neha 33rd) bt MPHA: 0; Punjab: 4 (Preetimala Dung Dung 5th, 53rd, Swayam Sudha Sahoo 37th, 60th+1) bt Odisha: 0.

Men’s: 3/4 play-off: Odisha: 4 (Kunjan Topno 35th, 52nd, Dipsan Tirkey 36th, Sanjeep Xess 54th) bt AIU: 0.