11-Dec-2008 149
SAIL Academy (Rourkela) pipped star-studded Orissa Icons 5-4 in the final to win the inaugural Hi-tech BSNL State-level 6-a-side hockey tournament at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar today.
Beaten 1-3 earlier in a pool match and trailing 2-3 at the half-time of the floodlit final, SAIL Academy boys rallied in style to avenge the defeat and take home the top prize of Rs 10,000.
Man of the tournament Amardeep Ekka and Sanjeev Barla scored a brace each for the champions, who got their last goal through Jerom Lakra. India mid-fielder Prabodh Tirkey struck thrice and man of the match Ijub Kerketta sounded the board once to help Icons bag the runners-up prize of Rs 7,000.
Earlier in the semifinals, SAIL Academy beat Centre for Excellence (Rourkela) 3-2, while Orissa Icons made mincemeat of East Coast Railway 8-2.
Amardeep Ekka (2) and Bikash Toppo scored the three goals for SAIL Academy, while Sameer Baxla struck both the goals for Excellence to be adjudged the best defender of the tournament.
Prabodh Tirkey dazzled in the second semifinal, scoring five goals, including a hat-trick for the Icons, who got their other three goals off the sticks of senior stars Dilip Tirkey (2) and Lazrus Barla. Severan Barla scored both the goals for the railway side.
State Agriculture Director Arabinda Padhi gave away the trophy and prizes at the closing function. Dilip Kerketta (Centre for Excellence) was named the most promising player of the tournament.
Please Login to Access More Content..
