Haryana, Jharkhand set for Women’s Hockey final

Panchkula

Defending champions Haryana will take on Jharkhand in the final of the 15th Hockey India Senior Women’s National Championship today (Wednesday) at Tau Devi Lal Hockey Stadium.

Haryana has dominated the tournament, conceding only once in four matches. They started with a 5-1 win over Karnataka and a 3-0 victory against Odisha in the pool stage. Their toughest challenge came in the quarterfinals, where they edged out Punjab 1-0 with a goal from Mahima Choudhary. They then cruised past Mizoram 4-0 in the semifinals. Captain Rani has been a key player, scoring three goals.

Jharkhand also made a strong impression, beginning with a 9-2 win over Tamil Nadu. They then defeated Mizoram 3-1 in the pool stage and Madhya Pradesh in the quarterfinals. Their biggest test came in the semifinals against Maharashtra, where they won a tense penalty shootout 3-2 after a goalless draw in regulation time. Goalkeeper Anjali Bhinjia played a crucial role, saving three attempts in the shootout, while Albela Rani Toppo, the tournament’s second-highest scorer with four goals, will be a player to watch in the final.

Haryana coach Azad Malik said his team is focused on aggressive attacking hockey, while Jharkhand coach Sudhir Golla praised his players’ determination. Before the final, Mizoram and Maharashtra will compete for third place.