Synopsis
Hockey Punjab triumphed at the Senior Men's National Championship 2025, defeating Hockey Madhya Pradesh 4-1 in Jhansi. Coach Rajinder and captain Hardik praised the team's comeback from previous losses, highlighting stellar performances by Jugraj Singh and Araijeet Singh Hundal.Key Takeaways
- Hockey Punjab won the Senior Men's National Championship 2025.
- Jugraj Singh finished as the second-highest goalscorer with five goals.
- Captain Hardik Singh led the team to victory.
- Coach Rajinder Singh adapted strategies after a pool stage loss.
- The final showcased a strong comeback by Hockey Punjab.
Jhansi, April 16 (NationPress) Hockey Punjab secured the championship title in the Senior Men's National Championship 2025 after defeating Hockey Madhya Pradesh 4-1 in the final held in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. Jugraj Singh showcased an outstanding performance, finishing as the tournament's second-highest goalscorer with five goals, including a vital brace in the final. Emerging star Araijeet Singh Hundal also made significant contributions, scoring three goals throughout the tournament.
In 2023, Hockey Punjab claimed the tournament title, but previously, they faced an early exit in the quarterfinals against Hockey Maharashtra. This time, under the leadership of captain Hardik Singh and coach Rajinder Singh, they have successfully reclaimed the championship.
In the Division 1, Pool A standings, Punjab finished second, trailing Hockey Madhya Pradesh by three points, who handed them their only defeat in the tournament. In the quarterfinals, Hockey Punjab triumphed with a 3-2 victory over Hockey Haryana, followed by a thrilling 4-3 win against Uttar Pradesh Hockey in the semifinals.
Despite the earlier setback, Hockey Punjab learned from their mistakes and decisively beat Hockey Madhya Pradesh in the final.
Reflecting on the tournament, coach Rajinder Singh remarked, “It was an excellent tournament for us, and we delivered a strong performance overall. The loss against Hockey Madhya Pradesh was a pivotal moment for us. We recognized our strength, and after that defeat, we regrouped to ensure we didn’t underestimate the following matches.”
Discussing the team’s approach, Rajinder stated, “Due to limited training time before the tournament, I allowed the players to adapt and play naturally, considering we have several national players in the lineup. Following our pool stage loss, we adjusted our tactics from zonal marking to man-marking, which proved to be more effective.”
In the final, Hockey Punjab initially conceded a goal but mounted an impressive comeback in the second half to clinch the victory. After the match, captain Hardik Singh noted, “Our strategy was to start aggressively, and the players executed it well. Although we missed a few opportunities, we are thrilled with the win. Performing well in the domestic circuit is always rewarding. Overall, the competition was excellent, and winning the gold medal feels fantastic.”
