Pune, August 23: The final of the 16th Hockey India Junior Women’s National Championship 2026 will take place on Sunday at the Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium near Pune. This championship will see Hockey Jharkhand face off against Hockey Haryana for the title.
Running from August 12 to 23, this championship has showcased fierce competition among the top junior women’s hockey teams from across India. After a series of intense matches, Hockey Jharkhand and Hockey Haryana have emerged as the two finalists.
Jharkhand has displayed remarkable composure and determination throughout the tournament. Under the leadership of captain Rajni Kerketta and coach Vikas Pant, Jharkhand began with a resounding 6-0 victory over Hockey Chandigarh and followed it up with a 3-1 win against Hockey Punjab. Their quarterfinal match against the Hockey Association of Odisha tested their resolve. After a 1-1 draw in regular time, Jharkhand maintained their composure and triumphed 4-3 in the shootout.
The semifinal against Hockey Madhya Pradesh was equally challenging. Ending in a 1-1 tie, Jharkhand again showcased their poise, winning 2-1 in the shootout to secure their place in the final. Their ability to remain calm under pressure, especially in consecutive shootouts, has been a defining aspect of their journey to the final.
Hockey Haryana has also delivered an impressive performance, demonstrating a perfect blend of attacking play and solid defense. Led by captain Shashi, Haryana started with a staggering 10-1 win over Hockey Bengal. They continued their strong form by defeating the Hockey Association of Odisha 3-0 in their second pool match.
In the quarterfinals, Haryana maintained their momentum with a 3-1 victory over Hockey Chandigarh, followed by a dominant 8-0 win against Chhattisgarh Hockey in the semifinals, securing their spot in the championship final.
Haryana has scored 24 goals in their four matches while conceding only 2. Entering the final in superb form, they aim to continue their attacking style of play. This final will feature two teams that have taken different paths to reach this stage. Haryana has advanced with commanding victories, while Jharkhand has shown incredible spirit in tough knockout matches.
With Rajni Kerketta leading Jharkhand and Shashi at the helm for Haryana, both teams will draw inspiration from their respective leaders in pursuit of victory.
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