Rourkela: Odisha boys battled into the semifinals of the 13th Hockey India Junior Men’s National Championship with a 4-2 win over Karnataka here on Monday evening.
Odisha took the lead twice, through penalty corner conversions by Anmol Ekka (10th minute) and Roshan Kujur (24).
But to the disappointment of home fans at Birsa Munda Stadium, Karnataka equalised twice as the teams went to half-time tied at 2-2.
Two field goals – one each in third and fourth quarters – turned the tide back in favour of Odisha. Sanjit Tirkey found the mark 8 minutes after change of ends, while Roshan scored his second after 50 minutes to send home the supporters happy.
Odisha will next face Madhya Pradesh, who thrashed Maharashtra 9-2 in the first quarterfinal.
The other semifinal will pit Chandigarh against Haryana, after both teams edged past their respective opponents in shootouts. Chandigarh ousted Punjab 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 stalemate, while Haryana pipped Jharkhand 3-2 in shootout after they finished regulation time at 2-2.
SEMIFINAL LINEUP
Odisha vs Madhya Pradesh
Chandigarh vs Haryana.
