Coimbatore: Stretched to the limit, Odisha boys showed remarkable tenacity and determination on Thursday to overcome Punjab 6-4 en route to the final of the 16th Hockey India Junior Men’s National Championship.
Standing between them and the champions’ trophy are the boys from Madhya Pradesh, who beat Jharkhand 2-0 with a pair of goals in the final four minutes.
Bilkan Oram starred for Odisha by netting a hat-trick, with a goal each in the second, third and final quarter.
Trailing by 2 goals within the first eight minutes of the semifinal, Odisha fought back to level scores at 2-2 before half-time.
In a thrilling game of fluctuating fortunes, Punjab regained the lead four minutes after change of ends. Odisha then scored twice to nudge ahead 4-3 before Punjab score again to make it 4-4.
With little to choose between the teams, Odisha raised their game in the final quarter and sounded the board twice, in the 52nd and 59th minute.
While Oram struck in the 28th, 41st and 52nd minute, Odisha’s other scorers were Alok Kujur (11th), captain Deepak Pradhan (37th) and Amit Kiro (59th).
For Punjab, Amandeep Singh scored a brace, and Mandeep Singh and Ajaypal Singh netted one each.