Jr Women National Hockey C'ship: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar qualify for semis

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], April 25 (ANI): Andhra Pradesh booked their place in the semi-finals of the 8th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2018 (B Division) after they thrashed Vidarbha 11-0 in their Pool A clash here on Wednesday.

Bhavani Madugula (9', 21', 23', 42'), skipper Mary Lotla (30', 44', 47', 52'), Vara Lakshmi Uppidi (32', 51') and Spandana Bokam (65') scored the goals to guide Andhra Pradesh to fourth consecutive win.

Whereas, in the other Pool A match, Goans defeated Madhya Bharat 3-1 to finish second in the Pool. All the three goals for Goans were scored by skipper Geeta Rathod (3', 14', 35') while Madhya Bharat's skipper Aayushi Patel (56') scored her team's only goal of the match.

In Pool B, Bihar qualified for the semi-final with an emphatic 34-0 victory over Puducherry to secure their third victory in four matches.

The goal-scoring spree saw Bihar's Kajal Lakra score 18 goals in the match as she scored in the 7th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 29th, 31st, 32nd, 35th, 37th, 40th, 42nd, 56th, 58th, 61st and 63rd.

Skipper Anshu Priya (28', 34', 57', 60'), Mahima Kumari (43', 48', 52', 68'), Puja Kumari (64', 65', 67'), Rajina Marandi (3', 6'), Riya Kumari (25', 70') and Anju Kumari (26') also scored for Bihar.

In the other Pool B match, Assam defeated Gujarat 10-0 but could not qualify for the semi-final as they finished second in their pool with eight points.

Goals for Assam were scored by Maxima Xalxo (11', 45', 48'), Jespina Horo (57', 66', 67'), Elina Tigga (6', 13'), Priyanshi (54') and skipper Priyanshi Singh (69').

In Pool C, Rajasthan defeated Telangana 11-0 to secure a semi-final berth with four wins out of four matches. Goals for Rajasthan were scored by skipper Beena Pandey (12', 33', 45', 49'), Reena Kanwar Balawat (39', 54'), Reena Saini (44', 60'), Komal Bharti (33'), Kiran Meena (51') and Shivani Sahu (58').

While in the other Pool C encounter, it was Sports Authority of Gujarat - Hockey Academy who defeated Andhra Hockey Association 4-3 to finish second in the Pool with a tally of nine points behind Rajasthan.

Goals for Sports Authority of Gujarat - Hockey Academy were scored by Sanya Noronha (18', 53'), Heena Chauhan (5') and Shivangi Solanki (40') while skipper Malleswari Talari (14'), Devipriya Reddycherla (41') and Maheswari Balagonda (51') scored for Andhra Hockey Association.

Earlier in the competition, Kerala secured their semi-final berth from Pool D as they finished top with a tally of seven points from three matches, while Himachal finished second with four points.(ANI)