Odisha Boys Bag Gold In Under-21 Hockey At Khelo India Youth Games

Mumbai: Odisha boys have again made us proud. After a bronze in the U-17 boys hockey, the U-21 boys have won gold by defeating Haryana 4-2 in a penalty-shootout in the finals of Khelo India Youth Games at the Mahindra Hockey Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday.

In a pulsating Under-21 final, Odisha and Haryana were evenly matched and put two goals each past the other in open play, but could not decide the issue, for which penalties were needed.

Odisha led 2-0 with goals from Dipsan Tirkey (11th minute) and Ashis Topno (23rd) but Haryana hit back through a brace from skipper Mandeep Mor (29th, 57th), setting up the tie-breaker.

In the shootout, Ashis Topno, Gregory Xess, Shilanand Lakra and Dipsan Tirkey converted for Odisha while only Kuldeep and Yashdeep Siwach could score for Haryana.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated the boys in a tweet and said, “Odisha hockey indeed holds promise.”

Congratulate our boys of #Odisha #hockey under 21 team for the sterling gold medal winning performance at #KheloIndiaYouthGames. With our impetus on sports & hockey, the future of Odisha hockey indeed holds promise

The U-17 boys had won bronze by defeating Uttar Pradesh.

In the Under-17 women’s pool competition at the event, Odisha lost to Haryana 3-2. Komal Rohilla (11th), Deepika (31th) and Neelam (47th) scored for Haryana while Neha Lakra (21st) and Nimabati Singh (49th) got on the scoresheet for Odisha.

In the Under-21 Pool A games, Odisha were held to a 1-1 draw by Mizoram with goals coming from Dipti Lakra (14th) and V.L. Hmangaihsangi (28th).