22 March 2024, Pune: Five-time finalists Hockey Haryana will face Hockey Maharashtra in the final of the 14th Hockey India Senior Women’s National Championship 2024 after winning their respective semifinals at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium, Nehrunagar-Pimpri on Friday.
In the first semifinal of the day, favourites Hockey Haryana booked themselves a place in the final with a fluent 4-0 win over Hockey Jharkhand.
Later in the day, Hockey Maharashtra beat Hockey Madhya Pradesh 2-1 to seal their place in the final.
It was Hockey Madhya Pradesh who took the lead through a penalty corner conversion by Hritika Singh (28th minute) before Hockey Maharshtra made a valiant comeback through goals from Akansha Singh (52nd) and Kajal Sadashiv Atpadkar (58th) to seal the deal.
It was Hockey Maharashtra’s second consecutive final in the nationals. Last year, Hockey Maharashtra lost to Hockey Madhya Pradesh in the summit clash.
Earlier in the day, victory for Haryana was their third over Jharkhand in 5 meetings they had so far.
The first semifinal of the day was a battle of Haryana pushing from the right channel and Jharkhand defence standing up with good defending.
Jyoti of Haryana was quick and many a time got past on the overlap.
It was another penetrative run Jyohya Priti found Sharmila Devi in the circle who fumbled
Finally, Haryana broke the deadlock off an indirect penalty corner scored by Navneet Kaur (27th).
In the second half Jharkhand came close through Sangita Kumari who slapped an open opportunity wide.
Then Mahima Tete had her try saved by ‘keeper and skipper Savita Poonia.
Haryana added their fourth (4-0) when Deepika (57th) powerful drag went off a deflection into the goal.
Both teams were ties on head to head winning two and losing two respectively.
Jharkhand topped in 2022, 2022, while Haryana were winners earlier – 2019 and 2018.
Three matches of the four were contested for the third position play off and one in the quarterfinal.
RESULT
Hockey Haryana: 4 (Navneet Kaur 27 – p.c; Jyoti 40th; Sharmila Devi 44th; Deepika 57th) bt Hockey Jharkhand: 0. HT: 1-0
Hockey Maharashtra: 2 (Akansha Singh 52nd, Kajal Sadashiv Atpadkar 56th) bt Hockey Madhya Pradesh 1 (Hritika Singh 28th): HT: 1-0. END
