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Key Points

SAI Sonipat emerged as champions of the Punjab Hockey League U21 after an exciting 4-3 victory over Naval Tata Hockey Academy. The match featured multiple lead changes with Neeraj scoring the decisive goal just five minutes before the final whistle. Earlier, an exhibition match saw Harmanpreet Singh's All Stars XI defeat Baljit Singh's Legends XI 4-0. The tournament awarded Rs 15 lakhs to champions SAI Sonipat and recognized Ashish Tani Purti as Player of the Tournament.

Key Points: SAI Sonipat Wins Punjab Hockey League U21 Title

  • SAI Sonipat claimed victory with a last-quarter goal from Neeraj in the 4-3 final
  • Naval Tata Hockey Academy fought back twice to level scores at 2-2 and 3-3
  • Roundglass Hockey Academy beat PIS Surjit Hockey Academy 4-3 for third place
  • Ashish Tani Purti of Naval Tata was named Player of the Tournament
2 min read

SAI Sonipat crowned champions of Punjab Hockey League

SAI Sonipat defeats Naval Tata Hockey Academy 4-3 in a thrilling final to become champions of the second Punjab Hockey League U21 edition.

"The decisive goal for SAI Sonipat came five minutes from time when Neeraj put the final touch to a well-worked team goal - Punjab Hockey League Press Release"

Jalandhar, September 27

Sports Authority of India National Centre of Excellence, Sonipat, edged past Naval Tata Hockey Academy 4-3 in a thrilling final of the second edition of the Punjab Hockey League (U 21), which was played here at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium on Saturday.

Roundglass Hockey Academy beat PIS Surjit Hockey Academy, Jalandhar, 4-3 in another seven-goal thriller to secure third place, as per a press release from Punjab Hockey League.

Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Singh Mann, gave away the prizes to the winners. An All Stars XI led by Indian skipper Harmanpreet Singh played an exhibition match against Legends XI, which was led by Baljit Singh, before the finals, with the former winning the match 4-0.

SAI Sonipat cruised to a 2-0 lead in the 12th minute through goals from Ankush and Mithilesh Yadav. Naval Tata halved the deficit three minutes later through a penalty stroke conversion by Ashish Tani Purti and went on to level the scores in the 21st minute after Patras Hassa converted a penalty corner. SAI retook the lead in the 27th minute, scored by Nitin. Patras Hassa scored his second goal of the final to make the score 3-3 in the 34th minute. The decisive goal for SAI Sonipat came five minutes from time in the last quarter when Neeraj put the final touch to a well-worked team goal to give his team the lead and the title.

Earlier in the day, defending champions Roundglass Hockey Academy secured third place with a 4-3 win over PIS Surjit Hockey Academy. Japnit Singh scored a hat trick for the winners, while Gursewak Singh scored the other goal for the hosts. Manmeet Singh Rai, Manroop Singh and Harmolbir Singh scored for the side from Jalandhar.

Ashish Tani Purti of Naval Tata Hockey Academy was adjudged the Player of the Tournament, while Jeevan Singh of Roundglass Hockey Academy was declared the Best Goalkeeper.

SAI Sonipat also received Rs 15 Lakhs, while the runners-up Naval Tata received INR 10 Lakhs. Roundglass Hockey Academy received INR 3 lakhs for their third-place finish.

Punjab Hockey League is organised jointly by Roundglass Hockey Academy and Hockey Punjab, aims to provide extensive match exposure to players from the grassroots level and contribute meaningfully to their professional and personal development.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Congratulations to SAI Sonipat! The prize money of 15 lakhs is well deserved. Good initiative by Punjab government to support young hockey players. Hope to see these players representing India soon 🇮🇳
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Michael C
Impressive tournament! Both the final and third-place match ending 4-3 shows the competitive level. Ashish Tani Purti deserved Player of the Tournament - his penalty stroke conversion was crucial. More such leagues needed across India.
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Ananya R
Wonderful to see Harmanpreet Singh playing exhibition match with young players. Such interactions inspire the next generation. Punjab continues to produce hockey talent - this league is exactly what Indian hockey needs at grassroots level.
S
Sarah B
While the tournament seems well organized, I wish there was more media coverage. Hockey deserves as much attention as cricket in India. The prize money difference between 1st and 3rd seems quite large though - could be more balanced.
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Vikram M
Japnit Singh's hat-trick in the third place match! 🔥 And Patras Hassa scoring twice in final for Naval Tata. So much young talent on display. This league is doing great work for hockey development in Punjab. Bahut badhiya!

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