National Games 2025: Maharashtra hockey teams seal semi-final berth after convincing win

Four semi-finalists have been decided for the men’s and women’s hockey events.

The group stage of the hockey events at the National Games 2025 has concluded. In the opening encounter, Haryana Women defeated Odisha 3-2 to secure a place in the semi-finals. Captain Rani (30’, 53’) and Mahima Choudhary (45’) were the goal scorers for Haryana, while Dipi Monika Toppo (21’) and Anupa Barla (35’) scored the goals for Odisha.

Madhya Pradesh finished first in Women’s Pool A standings and Haryana secured the second place. Both teams finished their group stage with nine points from four matches. West Bengal (9 points), Odisha (3 points), and Karnataka (0 points) were the remaining teams in the group.

In the Women’s Pool B, Maharashtra defeated Manipur 2-1, courtesy of goals from Monika Tikrey (17’) and Tanushree Dinesh Kadu (29’). Meanwhile, Lily Chanu Mayengbam scored a goal for the losing side in the 49th minute.

Jharkhand beat Mizoram 4-3 in an action-packed contest to top the Pool B standings. Captain Albela Rani Toppo (33’), Horo Sanjna (40’), Dipti Toppo (43’), and Roshni Aind (50’) scored a goal each for the winning side. Marina Lalramnghaki Hmar (10’, 56’) and Lalruatfeli (53’) found the back of the net for Manipur.

Jharkhand and Maharashtra finished first and second, respectively, with 10 points each.

In the men’s hockey competition, Punjab defeated Odisha 2-1 to book a spot in the next round of the competition. Pardeep Singh opened the scoring for the winning side in the 10th minute before Odisha skipper Dipsan Tirkey converted a penalty corner in the 29th minute. Ujwal Singh scored off a penalty stroke in the 51st minute to guide Punjab to a victory.

Later in the day, Haryana suffered a 0-2 defeat against Maharashtra. Venkatesh Kenche (49’) and captain Devindar Sunil Walmiki (57’) scored a goal each.

In another Pool B encounter, Tamil Nadu lost to Uttar Pradesh 1-3, with captain Karthi Selvam scoring the only goal for TN in the ninth minute. Gopi Kumar Sonkar (11’), Sharda Nand Tiwari (15’), and Arun Sahani (23’) were the goal scorers for UP.

Karnataka and Punjab qualified for the semi-finals from Men’s Pool A, while Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra secured the remaining two spots in the semis from Pool B.

National Games 2025: Hockey event day 7 results

Women:

• Haryana 3-2 Odisha
• Maharashtra 2-1 Manipur
• Mizoram 3-4 Jharkhand

Men:

• Odisha 1-2 Punjab
• Haryana 0-2 Maharashtra
• Tamil Nadu 1-3 Uttar Pradesh

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