3rd Hockey India Senior National Women’s Championship - Railways and Haryana set up 2nd consecutive final clash

It may be seen as a repeat of last year’s finals, as Haryana and Railways won their respective semifinals to qualify for finals for second consecutive time in the 3rd Hockey India Senior National Women’s Championship. Defending champion Railways defeated Jharkhand 2-1 in first semifinal to proceed to finals for third consecutive time. Laurenua Karketta scored two goals in the 30th and 34th minute to give defending champions the lead over their opponents. Railways dominated the play and Jharkhand players could not match skills of last year’s champions. Punita Minz scored in the last minute for Jharkhand only to reduce the margin.

Last year’s runners up Haryana won 3-1 against Punjab to set up a mouth watering clash with Railways in the final. First half of the match ended goalless, but in second half, Haryana played better. Narinder scored the first goal for Haryana in 37th minute through a penalty corner. Haryana made it 2-0 by a goal from Reena Devi (46th min). Three minutes later, Udita scored for Haryana to make it 3-0. The only goal for Punjab was netted by Lalremruati. Haryana won the match comfortably after that.

Finals will be played on April 30, 2013 (4.00 pm). Play-off for third place will be between Jharkhand and Punjab at 2.00 pm at Major Dhyan Chand Stadium in Guru Govind Singh Sports College in Lucknow.

Semifinal Results:

Railways 2(Laurenua Karketta 30,34) defeated Jharhand 1(Punita Minz)Haryana 3(Narinder 37, Reena Devi 46, Udita 39) defeated Punjab 1(Lalremruati)