UP Hockey drub Karnataka to book semis berth

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Hockey drubbed Hockey Karnataka 3-1 to enter the semi-finals of the 15th Hockey India Senior Men's National Championship in Jhansi on Saturday. Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Manipur Hockey, and Hockey Punjab also won their quarter-final matches to book their spots in the last four.
After a goalless first quarter, Rahul CJ scored in the 24th minute to give Karnataka a 1-0 lead. In the 45th minute, Manish Yadav equalised by converting a penalty corner. In the fourth quarter, Pawan Rajbhar and Sharda Nand Tiwari found the back of the net in the 52nd and 59th minutes, respectively, to seal the win and set up a semi-final clash with Hockey Punjab, who defeated Hockey Haryana 3-2.
Araijeet Singh Hundal (15') scored the only goal of the first half to give Hockey Punjab the lead. Sanjay (32') scored the equaliser for Hockey Haryana, but Hockey Punjab scored two goals in quick succession, thanks to Jugraj Singh (33') and Pardeep Singh (34'), to reclaim the lead. Kuldeep (56') got one goal back in the dying minutes of the game however, Hockey Punjab prevailed over the four quarters.
Earlier, Hockey Madhya Pradesh emerged victorious over Hockey Maharashtra 4-2 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw over four quarters. Pratap Lakra (6') converted a penalty corner and opened the scoring for Hockey Madhya Pradesh early in the game. Three minutes later, Hockey Maharashtra promptly replied courtesy of a field goal from Aakib Rahim (9').
Sundram Singh Rajawat, Shreyas Dhupe, Ali Ahmad, and Pratap Lakra scored in the shootout for Hockey Madhya Pradesh. Devindar Walmiki and Venkatesh Kenche were the only scorers for Hockey Maharashtra as Madhya Pradesh goalkeeper Sanjay B made crucial saves to help his side win.
Defences were on top in the second quarterfinal match as Manipur Hockey and Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu played out a goalless draw and battled it out in the shootout, which the former won 4-1. Manipur Hockey won six penalty corners while Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu won four, however, both sides couldn't find the net. In the shootout, Nilakanta Sharma, Waribam Nirajkumar Singh, Kothajit Singh and Laishram Dipu Singh scored for Manipur Hockey.
Goalkeeper Ankit Malik of Manipur Hockey was in incredible form and made two saves. Karthi Selvam was the only scorer for the Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu during the shootout.