Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, April 22: Riding on a hat-trick by Sumit Toppo, Hockey Orissa came from behind twice to stun many-time champions, Hockey Punjab 4-3 in the final to emerge champions of the Vth National Junior Boys’ Hockey Championship at Mysore Wednesday.
It was Punjab who took the lead in the 19th minute when Harjeet Singh scored from a goalmouth melee. But eight minutes later, Hockey Orissa were on level terms with Sumit scoring the equaliser. But Punjab once more went ahead in the 33rd minute when Simranjeet Singh scored. The two teams went into the interval with Punjab leading 2-1.
In the second session, Hockey Orissa started aggressively and earned a penalty corner in the 38th minute which Prakash Lakra successfully converted. In the 48th minute, Hockey Orissa earned another penalty corner. But this time playing a clever variation, Pratap did not take the shot but passed the ball to Sumit who placed the ball deftly into the net.
In the 61st minute, Sumit dived within the ‘D’ to deflect the ball into the net to make it 4-2. Punjab reduced the margin to 3-4 with a goal from Ajit Pandit, but then they ran out of steam.
