Maharashtra to take on defending champion Madhya Pradesh, its Haryana vs Jharkhand in other

Hockey Maharashtra joined Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Hockey Haryana and Hockey Jharkhand in booking a Semi-finals slot after registering hard fought wins over their respective rivals in the round-of-eight knock-out stage in the ongoing 14th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium Pimpri, Pune late on Wednesday night.

Hockey Maharashtra under the leadership of Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke on one hand defeated Manipur Hockey 2-1 (HT 0-0) in the final Quarter-final game that saw strong resilience from both the teams’ defenses. The hosts dominated the proceedings in the first two quarters but failed to convert any of the five penalty corners that was awarded to them.

Priyanka Wankhede (32’, 45’) broke the deadlock early in the third quarter with a field goal for the hosts and later converted a penalty corner at the end of the third quarter to double the lead. Manipur Hockey Captain Lily Chanu Mayengbam (60’) scored a consolation goal in the dying seconds of the final quarter but couldn’t prevent the last year’s runners-up team entry into the last four stage. Vaishnavi was appropriately named the ‘Player of the Match’.

Earlier in the first Quarter-final game defending Champions Hockey Madhya Pradesh defeated Hockey Bengal 1-1 (4-3 SO). After a goalless first quarter, Maxima Toppo (30’) converted a penalty corner to put Hockey Bengal in front. Despite not being able to convert any of the ten penalty corners that Hockey Madhya Pradesh was awarded, they managed to equalize in the final minute of the third quarter as Aishwarya Chavan (45’) through a field goal.

With no goals being scored in the final quarter the game went into shootout, which too ended in a 3-3 tie. Aishwarya, Preeti Dubey and Captain Ishika Chaudhary scored for Hockey Madhya Pradesh while Anisha Dungdung, Sanjna Horo and Sushmita Panna scored for Hockey Bengal.

In Sudden Death, Aishwarya riding high on confidence once again sounded the board, before her custodian Yashika Bhadoriya made a crucial save for the Hockey Madhya Pradesh that sealed a spot in the Semi-finals.

Hockey Haryana comfortably defeated Hockey Association of Odisha 4-1 (HT 2- 0) in the second Quarter-final game following a brace by Indian Women’s Hockey Team forward Deepika (5’, 14’) following an early penalty corner conversion followed by a sublime field goal towards the end of the first quarter. After a goalless second quarter, a field goal by another experienced Indian International Midfielder Neha Goyal (39’) in the third quarter ensured Hockey Haryana a 3-0 lead. Neha Lakra (42’) reduced the deficit scored for Hockey Association of Odisha, before another Indian International stalwart Navneet Kaur (54’) extended the margin to 4-1 in the final quarter to confirm Hockey Haryana place in the last-four stage.

Hockey Jharkhand qualified for the Semi-Finals after a well contested match where they defeated Hockey Mizoram 2-1 (HT 1-0). After a quiet first quarter, Deepika Soreng (27’) scored a field goal to put Hockey Jharkhand in the lead towards the end of the first half.

Indian Women’s Hockey Team forward Sangita Kumari (33’) scored early in the third quarter to double the lead but her national rival teammate Lalremsiami (35’) reduced the margin with a penalty corner conversion soon after for Hockey Mizoram.

Hockey Haryana will now face Hockey Jharkhand in the first Semi-finals while Hockey Madhya Pradesh will take on Hockey Maharashtra in the other under floodlights on 22nd March.

Hockey Maharashtra Coach Sagar Bharat Thakur following his team’s success in the Quarters against Manipur Hockey said, “We had a good outing in the league stage wherein we defeated Delhi Hockey 3-0 and Kerala Hockey 10-0 to top Pool B. The scoreline of the Quarter-finals 2-1, however does not reflect the true picture as we were well in control for most part of the game. We relaxed a little towards the end but that won’t happen again.” He was also confident of the team putting up a better show against the defending Champions Hockey Madhya Pradesh. “We had a very young team last year but now they have all played a significant amount of hockey at good levels. They have grown in maturity and we are certain we’ll put up a great show in the Semi-Finals,” Bharat added.

Photo Above: Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke played a key role in Hockey Maharashtra 2-1 win over Manipur Hockey in the Quarters and was named the Player of the Match