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Odisha and Haryana emerged victorious in the semifinals of the Hockey India-14th Senior National Championship, setting up a thrilling final on Saturday.Odisha, boasting several players from the national junior and senior camps, dominated Manipur throughout the match. Shilanand Lakra, who recently returned to the Indian senior team after knee surgery, played a pivotal role, scoring a goal and assisting another.Despite a competitive first half that ended 2-2, Odisha seized control in the fourth quarter. Prasad Kujjur tapped in a precise pass from Lakra, while Sudeep Chirmako unleashed a reverse flick to seal the victory.Meanwhile, Haryana faced a spirited challenge from Uttar Pradesh. Leading 3-0, Haryana appeared to be cruising to victory. However, a yellow card to Pardeep Mor in the final 10 minutes gave UP hope. Arun Sahani and Manish Yadav scored penalty corners to bring UP within striking distance.However, goalkeeper Pawan Malik produced several crucial saves to preserve Haryana's lead. Raman, Abhimanyu, and Rajinder Singh had earlier scored for Haryana.

Manipur's hockey team has defied all odds to reach the semifinals of the Hockey India-14th senior National men's championship in Chennai. Despite facing obstacles such as ethnic violence and financial constraints, the team has showcased remarkable resilience and determination.The team's journey began in October, when preparations were hampered by ongoing violence in Manipur. Practice sessions were frequently canceled, and the team's participation in the Nationals was uncertain due to lack of funds. However, through the support of well-wishers, including businessmen, individuals, and politicians, Manipur managed to secure the necessary resources to travel to Chennai.On the field, Manipur has played with a combination of skill, passion, and strategy. They upset Bengal in the group stage and then stunned defending champion Punjab in the quarterfinals. This victory was particularly sweet for Manipur, as they had lost to Punjab at the same stage last year.Midfielder Nilakanta Sharma, a Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist, has been a key figure for Manipur. He guided the younger players and provided valuable experience. Sharma emphasized the team's strong mentality and the importance of securing jobs for the players."It was very satisfying to reach the semifinals. My boys must get a job. That will be even more satisfying," said Sharma.Manipur's success has not only brought pride to the state but has also highlighted the challenges faced by athletes in conflict-ridden regions. The team's determination to overcome adversity serves as an inspiration to all who aspire to achieve their dreams.

In a thrilling encounter at the 14th Hockey India senior National men's championship, Manipur emerged victorious over Bengal 3-1 in a Pool H clash. The match was a battle for the top spot in the group, with both teams entering the contest with unblemished records.Manipur dominated the early stages of the game, but it was Bengal who struck first through Nitesh Neupane in the 51st minute. However, Manipur responded swiftly, with Moirangthem Rabichandra Singh equalizing just four minutes later. Nilakanta Sharma then put Manipur ahead in the 45th minute, and Cyril Lugun sealed the victory with a goal in the 55th minute.Bengal had its chances throughout the match, but failed to capitalize on them. The team's defense was also unable to contain Manipur's attacking prowess, which proved to be the difference in the end.In Pool F, Uttar Pradesh continued its impressive run with an 11-1 victory over Jammu & Kashmir. The win secured Uttar Pradesh's place in the quarterfinals. Vishnukant Singh and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay led the scoring for Uttar Pradesh with two goals each, while Atul Deep, Chandan Singh, Faraz Mohd., Iktidar Ishrat, Arun Sahani, and Jay Prakash Patel also found the back of the net.The results of the other matches in the tournament were as follows:* Pool A: Punjab 8 (Gurjinder Singh 8, 11, Jobanpreet Singh 14, Surdarshan Singh 38, 39, Pardeep Singh 42, 50, Gursahibjit Singh 44) bt Dadra Nagar and Daman & Diu 0.* Pool B: Haryana 5 (Pankaj 29, Joginder Singh 32, 48, Deepak 35, Rajinder Singh 37) bt Telangana 1 (Venkatesh Telugu 58).* Pool F: Delhi 6 (Dheeraj Vats 4, 28, Govind Singh Bisht 19, Nitesh 22, 41, 44) bt Kerala 1 (Rishabh Kushwaha 41).* Pool H: Assam 4 (Abdul Qadir 10, 30, 40, Aniket Tiwari 44) bt Bihar 1 (Ravi Kumar 21).