Kadapa, July 18: The 2nd Hockey India Junior Women and Men South Zone Championship 2024 concluded in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, with Hockey Andhra Pradesh seizing the women’s championship and Hockey Karnataka clinching the men’s title. Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu and Hockey Telangana secured third place in their respective categories.
Women’s Championship Decider
Hockey Andhra Pradesh emerged victorious in the women’s final against Hockey Karnataka, triumphing 5-0. Ankitha Bommu (5’) opened the scoring early, followed by Lalitha Kotari’s impressive hat-trick (24’, 29’, 60’) and a goal from Jhansi Bobbili (35’).
Men’s Championship Drama
In a thrilling men’s final, Hockey Karnataka defeated Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Kiran Reddy (34’) put Karnataka ahead before K Gowtham (45’) equalized for Tamil Nadu. Karnataka’s victory in the shootout was secured with goals from Prem Kumar SS, Raju Manoj Gayakwad, Akhil Aiyappa BN, and Kiran Reddy, with goalkeeper Vachna Kalapaa making crucial saves.
Women’s Third Place Match
Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu secured third place by defeating Kerala Hockey 4-0. Dharshini P (9’, 22’) scored a brace in the first half, while Jayashalini S (39’) and Roobini M (54’) added to the tally.
Hockey Andhra Pradesh claimed third place in the men’s category with a 5-2 victory over Telangana Hockey. Kumar Metta Sai (11’) gave Andhra Pradesh an early lead, followed by goals from Nadiminti Akhil Venkat (35’, 58’), Patan Asad Musfin Khan (59’), and Dodium Subramanyam Hemanth Kumar (60’). Kodapa Pradeep (23’) and Sujeet Rajbhar (51’) scored for Telangana.