Junior hockey nationals: Salute Academy, SGPC and M.P. reach quarters

Gaganjeet Singh and Gurnoor Grewal scored a hat-trick each as Salute Hockey Academy, Delhi thrashed Malwa Hockey Academy Hanumangarh 17-2 in a Pool E league match and qualified for the quarter-finals of the 1st Hockey India Junior Men Academy National Championship 2021 here on Saturday.

In other matches, Jai Bharat Hockey Academy, Hubli Hockey Academy, SGPC Hockey Academy, and Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy earned victories in their respective matches on day six of the competition. SGPC Academy and MP Hockey Academy also made it to the quarter-finals.

Salute Hockey Academy began the day six proceedings with a monumental 17-2 win over Malwa Hockey Academy, Hanumangarh in the Pool F match. Gaganjeet Singh (22', 41', 56') and Gurnoor Grewal (42', 52', 60') registered hat-tricks to their names, while Ramkesh (9', 36'), Ankush (17', 60') and Pritam (33', 35') bagged a brace each. Sumit (19'), Manjeet (24'), Manish (28'), Vipin (50'), and Aadil Khan(54') also chipped in with a goal each to help Salute Hockey Academy seal a place in the quarter-final of the tournament. Abinav Singh Bhadoriya (9', 49') scored the two goals for Malwa Hockey Academy Hanumangarh.

Skipper Sandeep Singh scored eight goals as Vadipatti Raja Hockey Academy, Chennai registered a massive 16-2 win against Lakshmi Ammal Sports Academy, Kovilpatti (TN) in a Pool H match.


Sandeep Singh (7', 15', 21', 26', 30', 50', 57', 58') was the star of the match for Vadipatti Raja Hockey Academy. Deepak (44', 45', 55') registered a hat-trick while Ashutosh Sharma (4', 40') and Harmandeep Singh (29', 59) each bagged a brace for the winners. Chandan (36') also contributed a goal in the team's big win. Dheenadayalan (14', 19') scored both the goals for Lakshmi Ammal Sports Academy.

Hubli Hockey Academy ended their campaign with a thrilling come-from-behind 2-1 win against Republican Sports Club. Prajwal Shashikanth Bekkinkannavar (26') and Niketh Chandan Gagade (38') were the goalscorers for Hubli Hockey Academy, while Aryan Nitin Pagare (23') scored for Republican Sports Club in what was the final Pool F match of the tournament.

In Pool G, Jai Bharat Hockey Academy also ended their tournament with a stunning 4-3 comeback win over Thirumalvalavan Hockey Academy. Captain Naveen Narwal (26', 59') led his team Jai Bharat Hockey Academy to victory by scoring two important goals in the match. Abhijeet Singh (38') and Sunny (42') also got on the scoresheet for Jai Bharat Hockey Academy. On the other hand, Dharaneesh P (10', 57') netted twice and Sri Hari Raam (24') scored a goal for Thirumalvalavan Hockey Academy.


In another Pool G match, SGPC Hockey Academy registered a clinical 4-1 win against Maharaja Ranjit Singh Hockey Academy to advance to the quarter-finals of the tournament. Onkar Singh (37', 55') starred with two goals, while Arshdeep Singh (13') and Jassimran Singh (50') scored a goal each for SGPC Hockey Academy. Gurpreet Singh (15') scored the only goal for Maharaja Ranjit Singh Hockey Academy.

In the final group stage match of the tournament, Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy eased past Tamil Nadu Hockey Academy with a remarkable 9-1 win to finish on the top of Pool H. Love Kumar Kanojiya (14', 37'), Shreyas Dhupe (6', 22') and Himanshu Sanik (23', 30') each bagged a brace, while Rajat (18'), Talem Priyobarta (53') and Abdul Ahad (57') scored a goal each for Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy. Anantharaj (41') scored the only goal for Tamil Nadu Hockey Academy - IANS