Bhubaneswar: Odisha emerged champions in the 2nd Hockey India Junior Men’s East Zone Championship after overcoming Jharkhand 2-0 in the final at Kolkata on Sunday.
After a goalless opening quarter, Odisha struck twice in the space of two minutes. Aryan Xess scored in the 25th minute and Deonath Nanwar found the back of the net in the 27th minute.
Odisha boys held on to the two-goal lead in the second half of the final to seal the title.
Jharkhand claimed the Junior Women’s crown after a hard-fought triumph over hosts Bengal. Tied 1-1 at the end of regulation time, Jharkhand pipped Bengal by 4-3 in penalty shootout.
