National Games women's hockey title to be competed between Haryana and Punjab

Kollam, February 10 (IANS)

Women's hockey teams from Haryana and Punjab will clash in the final following their respective semi-final victories at the New Hockey Stadium here on Tuesday at the 35th National Games.

While Haryana and Jharkhand battled it out in the penalty shootouts with Haryana finally winning the game in sudden death, Punjab recorded a comfortable 3-0 triumph over Odisha.

In the first semi-final, Haryana and Jharkhand starting on an equal note with a clear intent of booking a berth in the final.

Jyoti Gupta found a gap and managed to sneak in the first goal of the match, giving Haryana the lead. It was as late as in the 62nd minute when Kanti finally helped Jharkhand to level the score at 1-1 through a brilliant field goal.

With no further goals scored, the game went into the shootouts, which eventually went into sudden death where Jyoti kept her nerves and struck for Harayana.

In the subsequent game, Punjab registered an easy win over Odisha. Continuing her luminous performance, Anuradha Thokchom scored the initial goal and the lead soared up the confidence of Punjab.

Punjab went on to dominate the entire game, giving their opponents no chance to score. Anu Bala opened the second half with a radiant field goal in the 36th minute. Manmeet Kaur added the third for Punjab in the 59th minute and the scoreline was maintained till the hooter.

Jharkhand will now play Odisha for the bronze medal playoff while Haryana will meet Punjab in the final on Wednesday.