Hockey Association of Odisha (HAO) won the bronze medal in the 11th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship, beating Hockey Haryana 3-2 in the third-place match held in Kovilpatti, Tamil Nadu today. Uttar Pradesh Hockey emerged champions, defeating Hockey Chandigarh 3-1 in the final match today.
HAO went down fighting to Hockey Chandigarh in the semifinals 0-3 in shoot out after play in the regulation time ended in 2-2 draw yesterday. The Odisha team qualified for the semifinals, thrashing Hockey Bihar 4-1, thanks to a brace by junior international Sudeep Chirmako.
Earlier, Chirmako slammed four goals against Chhattisgarh Hockey and one against Hockey Rajasthan in their Pool-A league match. HAO qualified for the quarterfinals, hammering Hockey Rajasthan 9-0 and Chhattisgarh Hockey 10-0.
The 18-member Odisha team, featuring Junior World Cup players Sudeep Chirmako and Sujil Jojo, was announced by HAO Secretary Sanatan Sahu earlier on December 10. Odisha Sports Department Joint-Secretary Shailendra Jena distributed the team jerseys at Kalinga Hockey Stadium, Bhubaneswar.
ODISHA TEAM: Akash Tirkey, Amandeep Lakra, Cyril Lugun, Laban Lugun, Liban Ekka, Roshan Kujur, Mangal Lohar, Sunit Lakra, Sunil Jojo, Inocent Munda, Sushant Toppo, Mathias Dang, Sudeep Chirmako, Bikash Kujur, Prashant Lakra, Paulos Lakra, Deepak Minz, Sabyasachi Minz. Coach: Bijay Kumar Lakra; Manager: Sushil Kiro; Physio: K Shovan Kumar.
RESULTS:
December 18: Odisha (Paulus Lakra 21-FG, Amandeep Lakra 26-PC, 37-PC, 49-PC; Rosan Kujur 35-FG, 43-FG; Mangal Lohar 45-PC, Cyril Lugun 54-PC, Sudeep Chirmako 54-FG) beat Hockey Rajasthan 9-0.
December 20: Odisha (Rosan Kujur 8-FG, Bikash Kujur 13-FG, Sudeep Chirmako 28-FG, 41-FG, 42-FG, 43-FG; Sushant Toppo 29-FG, Deepak Minz 30-FG, Matiyas Dang 41-FG, Amandeep Lakra 60-PC) beat Chhattisgarh 10-0.
December 22 (4th QF): Odisha (Amandeep Lakra 38, Sushant Toppo 44, Sudeep Chirmako 51, 60) beat Bihar (Monu Kumar 50) 4-1.
December 24 (1st SF): Hockey Association of Odisha (Sudeep Chirmako 11-FG, Prasant Lakra 37-FG) lost to Hockey Chandigarh (Rahul 17-PC, Raman 18-FG) 0-3 in Shootout (Full time 2-2).
December 25 (3rd/4th place): Hockey Association of Odisha (Deepak Minz 27-FG, Sushant Toppo 47-FG, Sudeep Chirmako 49-FG) beat Hockey Haryana (Rohit 34-FG, Deepak 36-FG) 3-2.
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PHOTO: Odisha team at the 11th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship in Kovilpatti, Tamil Nadu on 18 December 2021.