Haryana face Railways in the final of 2nd Hockey India Senior Women National Championship

Haryana beat MPHA 3-0 in the second semifinal match played today. Reena Devi scored first goal for Haryana in the 14th minute by converting penalty corner. Haryana who led 1-0 at the half time scored twice in the second half through Hardeep Kaur (58th minute) and Kiran Dahiya (63rd minute). MPHA failed to score any goal.

In the first semifinal Railways scored a comprehensive 7-2 win over Jharkhand to enter the final. Railways looked the better drilled outfit and showed a lot of character and composure through the match, It started well and got breakthrough in the second minute through a field goal scored by skipper Jaspreet Kaur. Jharkhand levelled in the eighth minute when Binita Lakra converted a penalty corner.

Six minutes later Railways scored another goal through Joydeep Kaur. Thereafter Railways dominated the proceedings scoring another five goals till the half time through Soundarya Yendala (17th minute penalty corner), Chanchan Devi (19), Vandana Katariya (21, penalty corner), an own goal in the 24th minute and through Punita Minz (27, penalty corner). Jharkhand scored its second goal through Sarita Lakra three minutes from the end.

“We played to a definite strategy today and that was to be selective in going on the attacks,” said Joydeep Kaur, senior member of Railways team. “This helped us to score at regular intervals and build pressure on the opponent right from the start of the game. We are confident of defending the title.”

The result

SF1- Railways 7 (Jaspreet Kaur 2nd; Joydeep Kaur 14th; Soundarya Yendala 17th; Chanchan Devi 19th; Vandana Katariya 21st minute; Own goal 24th and Punita Minz 27th) beat Jharkhand 2 (Binita Xess 8th and Sarita Lakra 67th)

SF2- Haryana 3 (Reena Devi 14th; Hardeep Kaur 58th and Kiran Dahiya 63rd) beat MPHA 0.

Fixture: Railways vs Haryana- Final (6:30 PM)

MPHA vs Jharkhand- ¾ Position (4:00PM)