Senior Men’s Nationals: Uttar Pradesh, Bengal Display Impressive Form En Route to Quarterfinals

Last year’s runners-up Uttar Pradesh Hockey along with Hockey Bengal, Hockey Karnataka, and Hockey Maharashtra put up dominating performances in the 12th Hockey India Senior Men’s National Championship being played at Bhopal. Uttar Pradesh Hockey, who had went down to Hockey Punjab 1-2 in a shootout after being goalless in regulation time in the last year’s final played at Pune, have sealed their quarterfinal berth from Pool B after posting easy 7-0 and 8-0 wins over Chhattisgarh Hockey and Telangana Hockey 8-0.

Hockey Bengal have surprised many with their impressive performance in the Senior Nationals, making the last-eight stage from Pool F. The Bengal lads have won all their three leagues game in emphatic fashion – they crushed Hockey Gujarat 10-0, edged out Le Puducherry Hockey 3-2 and drubbed Hockey Arunachal 7-2.

Last ear’s third-placed team – Hockey Karnataka qualified for the quarterfinals from Pool C after whipping Hockey Uttarakhand 9-1 and Hockey Andhra Pradesh 14-0.

Hockey Maharashtra, who had finished fourth in front of their home crowd in Pune last year, reached the quarterfinals from Pool D after identical 7-1 wins over Kerala Hockey and Hockey Bihar.

Hockey Haryana and Hockey Jharkhand also sealed their quarterfinal spots from Pool H and Pool E. The quarterfinals kick off on Thursday.