Lucknow– The highly competitive 16th Padmashree Jamnalal Sharma Memorial State Sub Junior Hockey Competition, organized by the KD Singh Babu Society, showcased a thrilling series of matches, highlighting the strength of young hockey talent across Uttar Pradesh. The matches, held at Chandrabhanu Gupta and Moti Mahal grounds, drew large crowds eager to see which teams would secure spots in the semi-finals.
Lucknow’s Decisive Victory Against Jhansi
Lucknow earned a resounding 8-1 victory over Jhansi in a one-sided quarter-final, firmly establishing their dominance. Though Jhansi opened the scoring with the first goal, Lucknow responded with a relentless comeback. Captain Shivanshu, Aamir Ahmed, and Anas Ansari each scored twice, while Riyaz and Mohd. Shahid added a goal apiece, sealing an impressive win for the home team.
Karampur and Ghazipur Showcase Commanding Performances
Karampur demonstrated their prowess with a 4-0 victory over Bhadohi in a match where they consistently outplayed their opponents. Johnson led with two goals, and Raj and Shivam each scored, securing Karampur’s place in the semi-finals.
In a similarly decisive quarter-final, Ghazipur defeated Rampur 4-0. Ghazipur maintained control from start to finish, with goals from Krish Singh, Prasanj, Raj Maurya, and Niket Bind, highlighting the team’s well-coordinated efforts.
Prayagraj Edges Out Vivek Academy in a Close Match
Prayagraj’s quarter-final match against Vivek Academy of Varanasi provided one of the most intense moments of the day, with Prayagraj narrowly securing a 1-0 win. Aniket’s goal in the 14th minute gave Prayagraj the edge, and they withstood an aggressive counterattack from Vivek Academy to hold onto the lead.
Earlier Stages: A Summary of Victories Leading to the Quarter-Finals
The initial rounds saw standout performances, including Bhadohi’s penalty shootout victory over SKHA Ghazipur (3-2) and Rampur’s 3-0 win against BHU Varanasi. Jhansi’s thrilling 2-1 victory over Meerut also kept the audience on edge, with key goals from Raj and Manav securing their team’s progress. Prayagraj further impressed in their 4-1 win against Pratapgarh, with Aniket, Prince, and Simran Khan contributing to the scoreline, while Rinku scored the sole goal for Pratapgarh.
The competition continues to build excitement, with each team showing remarkable determination and skill. With the semi-finalists now determined, fans eagerly await the next round of high-stakes matches that promise intense action and memorable moments in junior hockey.
