Hosts Jharkhand failed to lift the winner's trophy after losing to Haryana by 3-2 in the finals of the 11^th national junior women hockey championship in Simdega on Friday.

Riding high on a flawless performance in the tournament, the hosts were upbeat while taking the field. Jharkhand took an early lead after Deepika Soren converted a penalty in the fifth minute. But four minutes later, Haryana levelled the score by netting a goal. Upping the ante, the visiting team struck twice in the 19^th and 21^st minute, taking a 3-1 lead.

Even though Jharkhand’s Ropani Kumar scored a goal in the 39^th minute, the team failed to match their aggressive opponents and settled for a silver.

In the match for the third spot earlier in the day, Maharashtra beat Chandigarh 6-2 to win bronze.

Haryana with gold medal. Telegraph picture

Hockey Simdega president Manoj Konbegi said that the best team won. “Winning and losing are part of the game but we are happy that both the teams played like true finalists,” he said.

Jharkhand coach Pratima said the girls missed a few opportunities in the high-pressure match. “We began on a positive note with a 1-0 lead but failed to capitalise on the opportunities during the course of the game. Haryana played aggressively and succeeded in restricting our attacks. We will work on the gaps for future tournaments,” she said.

As many as 21 states participated in the tournament which began on October 20. The tournament was originally slated to be held in April but was postponed to October in view of the second wave of Covid-19.