Odisha and Madhya Pradesh Advance to Final of Junior Men National Hockey Championship 2026

In an exciting turn of events at the 16th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship 2026, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh have advanced to the finals after impressive semi-final victories. Odisha triumphed over Hockey Punjab in a high-scoring match, while Madhya Pradesh secured a disciplined win against Hockey Jharkhand. The final showdown is set for August 8, 2026, promising an exhilarating contest as both teams vie for the championship title. Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion of this prestigious tournament.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 6, 2026, 23:37 IST

Semi-Final Highlights

Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 6: The Hockey Association of Odisha and Hockey Madhya Pradesh have both secured their spots in the final of the 16th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship 2026 – Division 'A', taking place in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.

In the first semi-final, Odisha triumphed over Hockey Punjab with a score of 6-4 in a thrilling match. Odisha showcased their offensive prowess, with Bilkan Oram shining brightly by scoring a hat-trick. He netted goals in the 28th, 41st, and 52nd minutes, leading his team to victory.

Odisha's Alok Kujur initiated the scoring in the 11th minute, followed by captain Deepak Pradhan's goal in the 37th minute. Amit Kiro capped off the scoring with a goal in the 59th minute.

Hockey Punjab put up a strong fight, with Amandeep scoring in the 7th and 42nd minutes, Mandeep Singh in the 8th minute, and Ajaypal Singh in the 34th minute. However, Odisha's composure ensured their 6-4 win, propelling them to the championship match.

In the second semi-final, Hockey Madhya Pradesh achieved a disciplined 2-0 victory against Hockey Jharkhand. After a tightly contested match, Rajveer Singh broke the deadlock in the 56th minute, followed by Aashir Aadil Khan doubling the lead just two minutes later in the 58th minute, securing their place in the final.

Both teams displayed strong defensive strategies, but Hockey Madhya Pradesh capitalized on their late-game opportunities to finish decisively.

With the semi-finals wrapped up, Hockey Association of Odisha and Hockey Madhya Pradesh are set to clash in the final on August 8, 2026, with the prestigious title of the 16th Hockey India Junior Men National Championship 2026 on the line. Earlier that day, Hockey Punjab and Hockey Jharkhand will compete for third place, aiming to conclude their campaigns on a high note.

The anticipation builds for an exhilarating finale in Coimbatore, as the best junior hockey talents in India prepare to vie for national glory.