Mumbai book last semi-final berth

Mumbai booked the last semi-final berth in the 51st women's National hockey championship by virtue of a better goal difference over Orissa.

In their last league match on Friday, Mumbai played out a 2-2 draw with Orissa but advanced to the semis as they had defeated Tamil Nadu 6-0 in their first league match, while Orissa managed just a solitary goal victory against TN.

In the semi-finals on Saturday, Mumbai take on defending champions Railways while Punjab lock horns with Haryana.

Although Orissa got an opportunity to go ahead in the opening minutes of the match when they earned two penalty-corners, it was Mumbai who gained lead in the 27th minute. Poonam Surin scored a field goal from a solo effort to make it 1-0.

In the 38th minute, Mumbai increased the margin, when Geeta scored a field goal after moving in from the left flank.

Five minutes later it was the turn of Orissa to make amends, when forward Pratima Tirkey got an excellent cross from Sarita near the goalmouth and successfully directed it into goal (1-2).

After wasting a penalty-corner in the 54th minute, Orissa restored parity, again through Pratima, who got a pass from Sarita and repeated the feat in the dying moments.

Yesterday's report
Railways, Haryana, Punjab in semi-finals