The electric atmosphere at Ranchi’s Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astro-Turf Stadium reached fever pitch on Thursday as the 16th Hockey India Sub-Junior Women’s National Championship 2026 unfolded its gripping quarterfinals in Division ‘A’. Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand emerged victorious, punching their tickets to the semifinals with performances that lit up the turf.
Hockey Association of Odisha overwhelmed Maharashtra 8-1, led by Priyanka Minz’s masterclass – four goals that defined the game in the 8th, 26th, 41st, and 54th minutes. Princess Priya Ekka’s brace (20th, 42nd), plus strikes from Switi Kujur and Kiran Ekka, buried any hopes of a comeback. Anvi Rawat’s late goal for Maharashtra was mere footnote.
In the second clash, Madhya Pradesh dismantled Mizoram 5-1, with skipper Nausheen Naz’s hat-trick (12th, 24th, 42nd) stealing the show. Early goals from Namami Geetashree (2nd) and Bhabar Kesar (21st) set the platform, despite Mizoram’s Lal Dinpuii netting in the 53rd.
A nail-biter ensued as Uttar Pradesh nipped Haryana 2-1. Arika Kumari’s 21st-minute strike gave UP the lead, Haryana equalized via Radhika in the 50th, but Rashi Singh’s 54th-minute dagger clinched it.
Jharkhand, buoyed by home support, blanked Punjab 2-0. Pushpa Manjhi (35th) and Sandipa Kumari (53rd) delivered the goods in a disciplined display.
Semifinal matchups are set: Odisha vs. MP and Jharkhand vs. UP. These rising stars are poised for an epic battle towards the championship decider, embodying the future of Indian women’s hockey.
