Post News Network
Cuttack, April 6: KIIT, Sundargarh, Cuttack and Khurda registered emphatic wins against their respective opponents to enter the semifinals of the Nalco Cup State Women’s hockey tournament at the Barabati Stadium here Monday.
Sashmita Munda scored a double hat-trick as KIIT drubbed Bolangir 9-1 in the first match. The other scorers were Anjali Soren, Sukasanti Tigga and Kabita Singh. Rajeswari Mallick (44th) got a consolation goal for Bolangir.
In the second match, Sundargarh thrashed Sambalpur 11-0. Elima Minz got a hat-trick and S Kerketa, AK Barla and S Ekka (two goals each) contributed to the goal rush. R Kupali and P Kujur scored once each.
Cuttack prevailed over Dhenkanal 11-0 in the third match. Sarojini Ekka and Kusbu Kujur got hat-tricks while the other scorers were Elice Ekka (2), Nil Projita Majhi and P Minz.
In the last game Khurda spanked Rourkela Steel Plant 6-0 with goals from Rajkumari Ekka (2), Birajini Ekka, Swayam Sudha Sahoo, Ambika Toppo and Seema Lakra (one each).
Gangpur triumph
Hockey Gangpur scraped past Chandigarh Olympic Association (COA) 5-3 and scripted their third victory in a row in the Vth edition of the Hockey India Junior Men’s National hockey championship at Mysore, Monday.
In an exciting match in which fortunes fluctuated like a pendulum, Gangpur took the lead in the eighth minute Rasananda Khalkho. However, COA restored parity in the 21st minute as Gursewak Singh converted a penalty. Sushil Ekka put Gangpur ahead again in the 25th minute only to find Harmanpreet Singh restore parity once more for COA.
After the change ends, Gangpur consolidated their position through goals from Pratap Lakra (47th) and Sudeep Kerketta (52nd). But COA again fought back with another strike from Sanjay Naki Ram (65th minute). Siben Lakra finally made the issue safe for Gangpur with two minutes to go for the hooter.
