Odisha crashed out of the 15th Hockey India Sub-Junior Men National Championship (Division-A), losing to Punjab 3-4 in the quarterfinals at Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai today. Mandeep Kerketta scored a hat-trick for Odisha, but that was not enough for the team to avoid defeat.

Odisha qualified for the quarterfinals after emerging Group-D toppers with two wins. Led by Salman Lakra, Odisha boys beat Hockey Maharashtra 5-1 and Hockey Chandigarh 3-1. Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh qualified for the semifinals.

ODISHA SUB-JUNIOR (U-17) BOYS HOCKEY TEAM: Subham Naik (GK), Sanjeet Raj Lakra, Mithles Kerketta, Subodh Lakra, Amandeep Dang, Winseti Tirkey, Sandeep Lakra, Salman Lakra (C), Asit Majhi, Alok Kujur, Dillip Hemrom, Arman Soreng, Ranjan Paul Ekka, Lelsan Minz, Animesh Baa, Mandeep Kerketta, Deepak Prakash Toppo, Jagadeep Barla (GK).
Team Staff: Rajen Ekka (Manager), Praful Tirkey (Coach), Bibhudutta Behera (Physiotherapist).

ODISHA RESULTS:

1 August 2025 (League match): Hockey Association of Odisha (Mandeep Kerketta 12-PC, 43-FG, 49-FG, Sanjeet Raj Lakra 51-FG, Deepak Prakash Toppo 59-PS) beat Hockey Maharashtra (Rehan Shafi Khan 34-PC) 5-1.

2 August 2025 (League match): Hockey Association of Odisha (Mithles Kerketta 6-PC, Sandeep Lakra 19-FG, Sanjeet Raj Lakra 43-FG) beat Hockey Chandigarh (Sahil Duhan 47-PC) 3-1.

5 August 2025 (Quarterfinal): Hockey Association of Odisha (Mandeep Kerketta 10-PC, 27-PC, 41-FG) lost to Hockey Punjab (Arshdip Singh 14-PC, Varinder Singh 39-PS, Anurag Singh 42-FG, Sukhdev Singh 58-PC) 3-4.
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PHOTO: Players and support staff of Odisha team pose at the 15th Hockey India Sub-Junior Men National Championship in Chennai on 1 August 2025.