Chandigarh enter last eight

CHANDIGARH, Nov 16:Last year's runners-up Chandigarh and Rajasthan scored contrasting victories to move into the last eight stage of the gir...

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CHANDIGARH, Nov 16:Last year’s runners-up Chandigarh and Rajasthan scored contrasting victories to move into the last eight stage of the girls group in hockey in the 44th National School Games being played at Sector 18 Hockey Stadium.

Chandigarh struggled to beat Madhya Pradesh 3-2 while Rajasthan scored a convincing 4-0 win over Gujarat.

Defending champions Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab also got a place in the quarterfinals.

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In the Chandigarh-MP tie, Mamta’s hat-trick enabled the team beat MP, who fought bravely till the last moment. After a slow start, Chandigarh girls picked up the pace and shot into the lead in the 15th minute when Mamta beat the rival goalie (1-0). Five minutes later Neeraj equalised with a reverse flick (1-1). But two minute from the break, Mamta was again on the target (2-1).

In the opening minutes of the second half, MP restored parity when Rekha’s powerful hit went past the Chandigarh goalkeeper (2-2). Thereafter, they tightened their defence and kept the opponents at bay. However, two minutes from the hooter, a lapse in MP’s defence cost them dearly. Unmarked Mamta scored the team’s third goal (3-2).

Rajasthan players were far superior than the opponents in all the departments of the game. Though, Rajasthan dominated the contest but they got their first goal in the 12th minute when Sohani Devi scored off a pass from Phooli Devi (1-0). Two minute later Rabia Banu consolidated the lead (2-0). Sohani got her second and team’s third goal in the 23rd minute of play. Rajasthan led 3-0 at the break.

In the second session, the match was played in Gujarat’s half. Rajasthan forced five penalty corners but all were squandered. But Sohani converted the team’s sixth penalty corner to make it 4-0. Rajasthan also got a stroke in the dying moments but Phooli Devi pushed it wide. Rajasthan will face Chandigarh in the quarterfinals tomorrow.

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In the boys category, last year’s winners and runners-up Chandigarh and Punjab had a field day. Chandigarh continued their winning spree and scored a whooping 18-0 victory over Assam while Punjab humbled Karnataka 10-1. Chandigarh outclassed Pondicherry 17-0 in their last league match to enter the quarterfinals. For Chandigarh Gurtejpreet Singh (6), Pradeep Singh (3) Manmohan (2) and Kulwant (2) were the main scorers.

Madhaya Pradesh also made it into the quarters by defeating Himachal Pradesh 2-0.

Results: Hockey: Boys: MP bt HP 2-0; Goa bt Pondicherry 3-1; Punjab bt Karnataka 10-1; WB bt TN 1-0; UP bt Gujrat 8-1; Chandigarh bt Assam 18-0; Maharashtra bt Rajasthan 10-1; AP bt Delhi 2-1.Girls: Karnataka bt Gujrat 3-0; Maharashtra bt UP 1-0; HP bt AP 3-0; Chandigarh bt MP 3-2.

Handball: Boys: Chandigarh walkover from Bihar; Delhi bt Kerala 30-19; Punjab bt Maharashtra 19-14; Gujrat bt AP 27-19.

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Girls: Chandigarh walkover from Bihar; Punjab walkover from Tripura; Maharashtra bt UP 12-9; Haryana bt Delhi 17-4.

Basketball: Boys: Assam bt Rajasthan 59-56; Chandigarh bt HP 49-45; MP bt Kerala 48-31; J&K walkover from Bihar; Delhi bt AP 48-30; UP bt Haryana 51-42; Punjab bt Maharashtra 49-32.

Girls: Chandigarh bt HP 24-23; Delhi bt UP 21-18; Karnataka bt Rajasthan 63-6; Punjab bt AP 59-21; TN bt Haryana 45-33.