AMN / Mumbai

Title contender Haryana began their campaign on a fluent note as they thrashed Jharkhand 10-0 in the (U-21) hockey competition of the 2nd Khelo India Youth Games at the Mumbai Hockey Association Stadium on Tuesday.

In another Pool B (U-21) fixture Odisha over powered spirited Maharashtra 6-3 in a keenly contested encounter.

Haryana reduced the match against Jharkhand to a no contest as they scored at will and led 4-0 at half time. The score line would have been much higher but the winner’s missed chances galore.

Skipper Mandeep Mor with three goals was the top scorer for Haryana.Abhishek, Mohit (two each) Jasbir Antil,, Deepak and Pankaj (one each) were the other goal getters.

Odisha dominated the proceedings in the early stages of the game and led 3-1 at half but Maharashtra put up an improvred display in the second session but it turned out to a case of too little and too late.

For Odisha Abhisekh Lakra scored three goals while Amit Chirmako,Krishna Tirkey and Ashis Topono chipped in with a goal reach. ,Harish Shindgi,,Malhari Chavan and Rohan Patil (one each) reduced the margin for the losers.

In Pool A, Punjab won their second consecutive match by defeating Uttar Pradesh 1-0 . The all important goal was scored by Harmanjit Singh who converted a Penalty Corner in the 57th minute..

In the U-17 section ,riding on Sudeep Chirmako’s four goals Odisha swamped Maharashtra 7-0 to record their second successive win in Pool A..

Odisha who had beaten Uttar Pradesh 3-1 in their opener, outplayed the hosts in all departments of the game and dominated the proceedings through out and led 3-0 at half time.Other goal getters for Odisha were Sunil Jojo, Sunit Lakra and Prasant Lakra (one each)

In the other Pool A match Uttar Pradesh register their first win defeating Delhi 6-0. Ajay Yadav (2), Pankaj Yadav , Suraj Singh ), skipper Saurabh Anand and Rajan Gupta (one each) were the goal scorer..