LUCKNOW, April 11 -- Favourites Uttar Pradesh on Friday marched into the final of the 24th Hockey India Sub-Junior Men National Championship, crushing mighty Punjab 6-2 at Rajgir in Bihar. The tie showcased the rising prowess of UP's hockey talents and it also highlighted Uttar Pradesh's attacking flair and defensive resilience, solidifying their status as a force in Indian hockey. In another semi-final of the day, Madhya Pradesh Hockey defeated Daman and Diu Hockey 4-2. Now the final will be played on Sunday. For bronze medallist in 2025 Uttar Pradesh, the scoring frenzy began early when Shahrukh Ali slotted home a clinical field goal in the 11th minute, catching Punjab off guard and putting winners ahead 1-0. Shahrukh's poise under pressure set the tone, his drag-flick precision a hallmark of UP's forward line. Momentum surged in the second quarter as Nitish Yadav took center stage. In the 26th minute, Nitish converted a penalty corner with a thunderous drag-flick, doubling the lead to 2-0. Just three minutes later, at the 29th mark, he struck again from another penalty corner, extending the advantage to 3-0. Nitish's back-to-back strikes dismantled Punjab's defense, his conversion rate from set pieces proving decisive. UP's dominance peaked before halftime. In the 32nd minute, Shahrukh Ali earned and calmly dispatched a penalty stroke, making it 4-0. The clinical finish underscored Shahrukh's versatility, blending field goals with spot-kick expertise. Punjab fought back in the third quarter, with Razzaq Ali pulling one back via a field goal in the 39th minute (1-4). Yet, UP responded swiftly post-interval. Rahul Yadav unleashed a penalty corner rocket in the 42nd minute (1-5), followed immediately by Ketan Kushwaha's opportunistic field goal in the same minute (1-6). Punjab managed a late consolation through Singh Rajveer's field goal in the 43rd (2-6), but it was merely damage limitation. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh women went down fighting to Jharkhand 0-2 in their semi-final encounter of the 16th Hockey India Sub Junior Women National Championship at Ranchi on Friday. After a goalless first half, Jharkhand managed to draw the first blood in the 25th minute when Kullu Rejina converted a penalty corner (1-0). Kumari Sandeepa struck a field goal in the 43rd minute to complete the formality. KD Singh Babu XI defeated hosts Rehman XI by 3-0 in penalty shootout to win the 2nd Fazlur Rehman Memorial Sub-Junior Hockey Tournament, at the Chandra Bhan Gupt Khel Maidan here on Friday. The two teams were locked in a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time. Akmal of KD Singh Babu XI was named best player....