PEDDEM: Goa outplayed Puducherry 6-0 at the 12th Hockey India sub-junior men’s national championship at Peddem Sports Complex on Saturday.
The Goans, who had held Delhi to a morale-boosting 1-1 draw in their first game, dominated the proceedings from the start of the match against Puducherry. Dipak Nawik and Pankaj Naik scored the goals in an emphatic victory for Alexander Remedios’ side.
Speaking to www.livenewsgoa.com after the match, coach Alexander expressed delight at the battling spirit displayed by the boys since the opening match. “It was that spirit that gave me the confidence that we would do well in the next game (Puducherry). We played an attacking game because we knew we had to win (today). The plan worked out very well,” said Alexander, who’s side will face their toughest challenge when Goa meet Punjab on May 10.
When asked how significant is the occasion of the national championship being hosted in Goa, Alexander acknowledged it as the biggest boost for the development of hockey in Goa. He also remarked that it will be a promising leap for Goa in 3 years or so if the base of hockey strengthens in the state.
In the other matches, Bihar defeated Arunachal 9-2, Jammu Kashmir beat Telangana 4-0, Punjab outclassed Delhi 8-0, Chandigarh thrashed Maharashtra 11-3.
