Orissa hockey men emerge runners-up

Post News Network

Cuttack, Feb11: Orissa emerged runners-up in the men’s hockey event of the National Games, bowing out 2-7 from Services in the final at Kolam, Wednesday.

Though Orissa surrendered meekly before a mighty Services, yet this was their best ever performance in the tournament.

Orissa got an early lead in the second minute of the match through Dipansu Bhargav. But Services came back strongly and proved their supremacy by scoring four goals in the first quarter itself. Siraj (sixth minute), Mukesh Lakra (13th), Ved Prakash (17th) and Devender Singh (26th) found the back of the net to establish a 4-1 lead during the first quarter.

The second quarter also belonged to Services as they scored two more goals through Manpreet Singh (29th minute) and Binay Bengar (44th)

After the change of ends, Orissa showed a little intention to make a comeback in the match when Navneet Sarkar found the back of the net in the 47th minute.

But that did not bother the winning team a bit as they continued with their goal scoring spree with Chandan Anand striking in the 54th minute to finish the rout.

Meanwhile, Orissa women’s team finished fourth after they were blanked by Jharkhand 0-2 in the play-off.