Odisha’s stellar performance continued as they advanced to the semifinals of the Hockey India Sub-Junior Men’s National Championship with a dominant 7-0 victory over Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. The home crowd at Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium witnessed an electric display, with Odisha unleashing their firepower in the second half, scoring three goals in the third quarter and adding four more in the final 15 minutes. With an impressive tally of 27 goals and zero goals conceded thus far, Odisha is set to face Madhya Pradesh in the semifinals on Saturday. Madhya Pradesh secured their place in the last-four stage by defeating Jharkhand 6-3. In another quarterfinal match, defending champions Uttar Pradesh showcased their dominance by thrashing Chandigarh 7-0, setting up a semifinal showdown against Haryana, who secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Punjab.

Odisha’s coach, Laxminarayna, acknowledged the immense support from the home crowd, with nearly 5000 people cheering on the team during the quarterfinal match. The coach emphasized that the crowd’s support gives Odisha an advantage over any other team. However, he also acknowledged the strength of Madhya Pradesh, against whom they have struggled in recent competitions. Despite this, the coach expressed confidence in the team’s motivation to overcome any challenges and strive to win the tournament. As Odisha continues their red-hot form, their semifinal clash against Madhya Pradesh promises to be an exhilarating encounter, with both teams vying for a spot in the final of the Hockey India Sub-Junior Men’s National Championship.