Jalandhar : Hockey Haryana scripted a stunning comeback to win the 15th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship 2025, defeating the Hockey Association of Odisha 3-2 in a nail-biting final held in Jalandhar, Punjab.
The much-anticipated final began with both teams battling hard for possession but struggling to break the deadlock in the opening quarter. Odisha took control in the second quarter as Deepak Pradhan (17’) and Pratap Toppo (19’) converted back-to-back penalty corners, giving their side a 2-0 advantage. The scoreline remained unchanged through the third quarter, leaving Haryana under pressure heading into the final stretch.
However, the last quarter witnessed a dramatic turnaround. Chirag (50’) ignited Haryana’s fightback with a penalty corner goal. Just a minute later, Nitin (51’) scored a brilliant field goal to level the contest at 2-2. With the clock ticking down, Nitin once again showcased his class, dribbling past two defenders before striking the decisive winner in the 60th minute, sealing the Hockey Haryana Championship victory and their claim to the national crown.
Meanwhile, in the fiercely contested 3rd/4th place match, Hockey Punjab defeated Uttar Pradesh Hockey 4-3 in a shootout after a thrilling 3-3 draw. Satyam Pandey (8’) gave Uttar Pradesh an early lead, but Hockey Punjab responded through goals from Lovenoor Singh (21’) and Japnit Singh (28’, 59’). Ujjwal Pal (48’) and Fahad Khan (57’) restored the lead for Uttar Pradesh before Japnit Singh’s last-minute penalty stroke pushed the game into a shootout.
In the shootout, Hockey Punjab held their nerve with Charanjeet Singh, Lovenoor Singh, Om Rajnesh Saini, and Sunny converting, ensuring Punjab clinched the bronze medal.
This edition of the championship once again highlighted the depth of young hockey talent in India, with Haryana’s resilience, Odisha’s early dominance, and Punjab’s grit leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
Also Read : Odisha Hockey Reaches Junior Men Championship Final
