Maharashtra take on Tamil Nadu in quarters

PUNE: Hosts Hockey Maharashtra have reason enough to perform when they take on the Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu in the quarter-finals of the 11th Hockey India Senior Men National Championship at the Major Dhyanchand Hockey Stadium, Nehrunagar-Pimpri on Saturday.

Having impressed in the pool stage with an all-win record, Maharashtra will hope to use home advantage to their fullest. Their campaign so far has yielded 32 goals, which interestingly has 13 scored by four players off penalty corners which adds up to their repertoire during the match situations.

In comparison, Tamil Nadu have stuck to their job and like Maharashtra made the last-eight stage unbeaten, just that they have played a match fewer. Tamil Nadu on the pitch have found their 18 goals come through mostly field goals and 5 off penalty corners.

So far, Tamil Nadu have not conceded a goal, which Maharashtra will hope to change through skipper and tournament top-scorer Taleb Shah (11 goals - 10 field goals and one-off penalty corner) and Pratap Shinde (9 goals - all penalty corners). IANS

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