Manipur pull off comeback win against Puducherry in Sr men's hockey nationals
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 08 2025:
Cyril Lugun stole the show with a brilliant hattrick as Manipur staged a thrilling comeback to edge past Puducherry 4-3 in the 15th Hockey India Senior Men's National Championship 2025 in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday.
Puducherry drew first blood in the sixth minute through Manikandan M, but Cyril Lugun swiftly turned the tide in Manipur's favour.
The prolific forward equalised in the 14th minute, struck again just a minute later to put his side ahead, and completed his hat-trick with a composed finish in the 28th minute.
Trailing by two goals, Puducherry fought back valiantly, with Rajat Minz pulling one back in the 43rd minute.
However, Thokchom Kingson restored Manipur's two-goal advantage in the 51st minute with a crucial strike.
Though P Mahendran set up a tense finale by reducing the deficit to 3-4 in the 60th minute, Manipur held firm to clinch a hard-fought and well-deserved victory.