Jharkhand, Orissa enter BSNL hockey semifinals

Bangalore, Jan 11 (UNI) Jharkhand and Delhi entered the semifinals in contrasting styles in the fifth All India BSNL Hockey tournament played at KSHA grounds here today.

While Jharkhand drubbed Maharashtra 6-1 in Group B, Delhi rallied back to beat Madhya Pradesh 2-1 in Group D.

In the semifinals to be played tomorrow, holders Karnataka would take on Delhi, while Orissa would clash with Jharkhand.

Lalithkumar Pana (fifth and 18th minute), Joseph Soreng (seventh and 27th), G Topno (12th) and Marcel Tirkey (35th) scored for Jharkhand, while Uttam Singh scored the lone goal for Maharashtra in the ninth minute.

After being a goal in arrears following the first strike by A W Khan of Madhya Pradesh in the 17th minute, Delhi bounced back to win the match through goals scored by Premjit Kujur (47th) and Dinesh Chander (56th).

UNI