UP’s winning streak continues, now meet Punjab in final
LUCKNOW: A silver medal in 2020, and then a gold medal in the following year in 2021 sums up the dominance of Uttar Pradesh in the junior hockey in the domestic events.
On Wednesday, Suraj Pal-led Uttar Pradesh stormed into the final of the 14th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship with a convincing 3-1 win over Karnataka at Jalandhar.
In 2022 too, Uttar Pradesh had a convincing 6-1 win over Karnataka, and now in final on Thursday, they meet favourites Punjab, who notched up a thrilling 7-6 (4-4) win over Haryana in penalty shootout in the second semi-final. The final match starts at 3.00 p.m., after the hardline match between Karnataka and Haryana at 1.00 p.m.
Rajesh Yadav, Ajeet Kumar and Fahad Khan scored for Uttar Pradesh, whereas Sunil PB netted the consolation goal for Karnataka. The scoreline could have been different, if Uttar Pradesh men had not missed a few easy chances in the first half.
Playing true to their reputations, Uttar Pradesh men dominated the proceedings from the very start but failed to break the ice and the two teams remained locked in a goalless half-time. But it was altogether a different ball game after change in the ends.
Continuous attacks from the right flank helped Uttar Pradesh earn a penalty stroke in the 41st minute and Rajesh Yadav made no mistake in sounding the board (1-0). The goal, however, allowed Uttar Pradesh to penetrate further with a series of attacks and within four minutes time, Ajeet Kumar converted a penalty corner to put the side in a commanding position with a 2-0 lead.
Certainly, two goal deficit was alarming for Karnataka men, who too began pressing hard, but found UP’s custodian Vikrant Singh manning the post quite well. But in the 53rd minute, Sunil PB converted a penalty corner to reduce the margin to 1-2 and before the Karnataka men could restored parity, forward Fahad Khan struck a field goal to fashion UP’s 3-1 win in the 57th minute.
Thereafter, striking two more goals to level the score remained a distant dream for Karnataka men as a strong Uttar Pradesh defence led by quick-moving Rahul Rajbhar, Mohd Kaif and Siddhant Singh kept the rivals at bay till the hooter.