Could Chandigarh and Uttarakhand Triumph at Jr Men's Hockey Nationals?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Hockey Chandigarh and Hockey Uttarakhand showcased their strength with impressive wins.
- The draw between Hockey Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir highlighted the competitive nature of the tournament.
- Player performances, including hat-tricks, were pivotal in determining match outcomes.
- The tournament continues to be a significant platform for showcasing young talent in Indian hockey.
Jalandhar (Punjab), Aug 14 (NationPress) Hockey Chandigarh and Hockey Uttarakhand claimed victories in their matches, while Hockey Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir ended in a draw during Day 3 of the 15th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship held here on Thursday.
The day's first match saw Hockey Himachal face off against Jammu & Kashmir, concluding in a thrilling 5-5 draw, with both teams earning a point. Captain Rajveer Singh (1', 19', 34') demonstrated his prowess by netting a hat-trick. Additional goals came from Rohanpreet Singh (51') and Gamanpreet Singh (56'). Hockey Himachal saw Gourav Kumar (43', 53') score two goals, complemented by Anuj (15'), Pranshu Choudhary (18'), and Sukhmanpreet Singh (27').
In the second match, Hockey Chandigarh secured a narrow 4-3 victory over Hockey Arunachal in their Division 'B', Pool A encounter. Goals were scored by Rishav (8'), Moohamed Jaeed (19'), Fateh Singh (31'), and Prabhjot Singh (33'). Captain Amarjeet Singh (17', 36', 53') showcased his skill with a hat-trick, but Hockey Arunachal couldn't close the gap.
The final match of the day saw Hockey Uttarakhand dominate Assam Hockey with an impressive 8-1 scoreline. Goals came from Mahendra Singh Bisht (33', 37'), Rohit Airy (32', 45'), Suraj Kumar (55', 60'), Vishal Kumar (2'), and Naveen Prasad (14'). Rohan Ekka (29') managed to score the sole goal for Assam Hockey.
Previously, on Day 2 of the tournament, Kerala Hockey, Le Puducherry Hockey, Chhattisgarh Hockey, and Goans Hockey secured wins in Division ‘C’, while Hockey Chandigarh, Hockey Uttarakhand, and Delhi triumphed in their Division 'B' league matches during the event taking place in Jalandhar, Punjab.