Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 6 (ANI): The Hockey Association of Odisha and Hockey Madhya Pradesh both delivered outstanding performances in their semi-finals, earning a place in the finals of the 16th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship 2026 – Division ‘A’, currently taking place in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
In the first semi-final, Hockey Association of Odisha triumphed over Hockey Punjab with a score of 6-4 in an exhilarating, high-scoring match. According to a press release, Odisha showcased their attacking prowess throughout, with Bilkan Oram standing out by scoring a remarkable hat-trick. He netted goals in the 28th, 41st, and 52nd minutes, propelling his team towards victory.
Odisha’s scoring began with Alok Kujur’s goal in the 11th minute, followed by captain Deepak Pradhan’s contribution in the 37th minute. Amit Kiro capped off the scoring with a goal in the 59th minute.
Despite a valiant effort from Hockey Punjab, who scored through Amandeep in the 7th and 42nd minutes, Mandeep Singh in the 8th minute, and Ajaypal Singh in the 34th minute, they ultimately fell short. Odisha’s composure allowed them to secure a thrilling 6-4 victory.
In the second semi-final, Hockey Madhya Pradesh achieved a solid 2-0 win against Hockey Jharkhand. The match remained evenly contested until Madhya Pradesh broke the stalemate in the 56th minute with a goal from Rajveer Singh. Just two minutes later, Aashir Aadil Khan increased their lead in the 58th minute, sealing a well-earned place in the finals.
Both teams demonstrated strong defensive capabilities until Hockey Madhya Pradesh seized their late chances to finish the match decisively.
With the semi-finals now complete, Hockey Association of Odisha will face Hockey Madhya Pradesh in the final on August 8, 2026, vying for the prestigious title of the 16th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship 2026. Earlier that day, Hockey Punjab and Hockey Jharkhand will compete for the 3rd/4th place playoff, looking to conclude their campaigns on a positive note.
The final promises to be an electrifying showdown, showcasing India’s top junior hockey talent as they compete for national glory.
