Mumbai: Hockey became the first discipline to start off in the Khelo India Youth Games 2019, as hosts Maharashtra played out a 2-2 draw with Delhi at the MHA Ground, Churchgate here in the Under-17 Pool A game. In another Pool A match, Odisha scored a 3-1 win over Uttar Pradesh to make a winning start.
Also in Under-17 Boys in Pool B, Chandigarh opened with a 3-0 verdict over Jharkhand and favourites Haryana beat Punjab 2-0.
Twice in the arrears, Delhi came back strongly to share points with host Maharashtra in a Pool A encounter. Enjoying the territorial advantage, Maharashtra were all over their rivals, and with skipper Dhairyashil Jadhav putting them ahead in the 11th minute when he converted a penalty corner.
However, their joy was short lived when Prashant levelled the scoreline seven minutes later for the visitors.
The hosts who were dominating the proceedings, were 2-1 up a minute later when Kaustubh Baradhiya found the back of the net. With one minute left for the third quarter, Prashant found the equaliser.
The last quarter saw the teams more defensive and the game was confined to midfield and in the process signed a peace treaty.
Scoring once in each quarter Odisha overcame Uttar Pradesh 3-1 also in a Pool A encounter. Prashant Lakra, Deepak Ekka and Sudeep Minz were the scorers for Odisha.
A double strike in a span of three minutes once each by Sahil Sharma and Ankit Malik saw the favourites Haryana cruise past the challenge of their neighbours Punjab 2-0 on Monday.
In what was termed as the game of the day, in Pool B, Punjab did enjoy the possession of the game, but fell short when it came to convert the chances that came their way.
It was Sahil Sharma who set the ball rolling in favour of Haryana when he cut loose from three defenders and slammed home with the Punjab keeper Navdeep Singh a mere spectator.
Earlier, Chandigarh blanked Jharkhand 3-0 to notch up their three points in this league phase of the tournament. Surinder put Chandigarh ahead in the 6th minute, and Rohit and Raman added one each to round up the tally.
