Jr Men’s Hockey Nationals: Odisha, Manipur, Jharkhand win on Day 7; Quarterfinal lineup decided

Jalandhar – The pool stage of the 15th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship concluded on Monday at Surjit Singh Stadium, with Hockey Association of Odisha, Manipur Hockey, and Hockey Jharkhand securing wins, while Hockey Madhya Pradesh and Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu played out a draw.

The eight teams advancing to the quarterfinals are Hockey Punjab, Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh Hockey, Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey Haryana, Manipur Hockey, Hockey Association of Odisha, and Hockey Karnataka.

In the day’s opening match, Hockey Association of Odisha cruised past Hockey Andhra Pradesh with a dominant 10-0 victory. Pradip Mandal (12’, 44’), Bilkan Oram (24’, 35’), Deepak Pradhan (27’, 57’), and Karan Lakra (56’, 59’) all struck twice, while Pratap Toppo (10’) and Yojin Minz (60’) added a goal each.

Manipur Hockey then defeated Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey 5-1 in Pool C. Goals came from Yumkham Bidyananda Singh (35’, 45’), Ricky Tonjam (20’), Harish Singh Leitanthem (37’), and Adhikarimayum Suresh Sharma (39’). Mithlesh Singh (36’) scored the lone goal for the opposition.

In Pool B, Hockey Jharkhand beat Hockey Maharashtra 5-3, led by a hat-trick from Adisan Minj (17’, 28’, 47’). Bhengra Gledshan (20’) and captain Roshan Ekka (42’) also netted, while Kartik Ramesh Patare (35’), Gaurav Baburao Patil (54’), and Shivam Sachin Dhonde (57’) replied for Maharashtra.

The final pool clash saw Hockey Madhya Pradesh and Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu share the spoils in a 3-3 draw. Early goals from Mohd Konain Dad (4’, 14’) and Tushar Parmar (9’) put MP ahead, but Tamil Nadu fought back through Vishal S (23’) and a brace from Manimaran V (51’, 59’). Despite the draw, Hockey Madhya Pradesh advanced due to a superior goal difference.

The quarterfinals will be played on August 20, 2025.

With inputs from IANS