Odisha rode on a goal each by Pratibha Ekka and Karuna Minz to beat Mizoram 2-0 in their seventh and last Pool-A match of the 1st National Womens Hockey League (Phase-1) 2024-25 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi today.
This was the fourth win for Odisha and they finished third in Pool-A with 15 points. Haryana (16 points) and host Jharkhand (15 points) secured the first and second positions respectively. Led by Drupati Naik, Odisha could have been the table toppers if they had not suffered a 1-2 shocking defeat at the hands of Bengal in their penultimate game.
Top eight teams of the last Hockey India Senior Women National Championship competed in the first of the two-phase NWHL. Phase-2 of the 1st National Womens Hockey League 2024-25 is scheduled to be held at Kalinga Hockey Stadium in Bhubaneswar from 21 to November 2024.
ODISHA WOMEN TEAM: Bhabika Majhi (GK), Rose Mary Xalxo, Suman Hemrom, Ahalya Lakra, Sonali Ekka, Reshma Toppo, Mariyam Dhanwar, Tanuja Toppo, Nisha Dadel, Drupati Naik (Captain), Amisha Ekka, Prativa Kindo, Dipi Monika Toppo, Ashima Rout, Karuna Minz, Pratibha Ekka, Rambha Kujur, Amisha Kullu (GK). Coach: Vandana Uikey; Manager: Neha Singh.
ODISHA RESULTS:
30 April 2024 (Match 1): Hockey Association of Odisha (Rambha Kujur 33-PC, Sonali Ekka 38-FG, 49-PC, Dipi Monika Toppo 57-PC) beat Hockey Haryana (Shashi Khasa 3-PC) 4-1.
May 1 2024 (Match 2): Hockey Association of Odisha (Tanuja Toppo 34-PC, Drupati Naik 51-FG) drew with Hockey Madhya Pradesh (Swati 26-FG, Aashrita Thakur 59-FG) 2-2. Shootout: Odisha (Drupati Naik, Pratibha Ekka) lost to Madhya Pradesh (Swati, Aanchal Sahu, Bhumiksha Sahu) 2-3.
May 3 2024 (Match 3): Hockey Association of Odisha (Dipi Monika Toppo 16-PC, Pratibha Ekka 49-FG) beat Manipur Hockey (Laishram Ritu Devi 8-PC) 2-1.
May 4 2024 (Match 4): Hockey Association of Odisha (Sonali Ekka 33-PC) drew with Hockey Jharkhand (Roshni Aind 49-PC) 1-1. Shootout: Odisha (Pratibha Ekka, Mariyam Dhanwar, Drupati Naik, Mariyam Dhanwar) beat Jharkhand (Sweety Dungdung, Salomi Nag, Salomi Nag) 4-3.
May 6 2024 (Match 5): Hockey Association of Odisha (Dipi Monika Toppo 23-FG, Karuna Minz 55-PC) beat Hockey Maharashtra (Sunita Kumari 51-FG) 2-1.
May 7 2024 (Match 6): Hockey Association of Odisha (Dipi Monika Toppo 51-PC) lost to Hockey Bengal (Shanti Horo 23-FG, 39-FG) 1-2.
May 9 2024 (Match 7): Hockey Association of Odisha (Pratibha Ekka 25-FG, Karuna Minz 52-FG) beat Hockey Mizoram 2-0.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: Players and support staff of Odisha team pose at the 1st National Womens Hockey League (Phase-1) in Ranchi on 9 May 2024.