11-Oct-2009 231
Yazdani Club-73 edged out State Directorate of Sports 7-6 in the final to lift the trophy of the 7th Gatikrushna Memorial Bhubaneswar Football League at Unit-1 High School ground in Bhubaneswar today. The summit clash was decided via sudden death after play in the regulation time and tie-breaker ended in draw.
Santosh Tudu gave Club-73 the lead in the 32nd minute, while Rajak Nag equalised for Sports Directorate 10 minutes later. In the penalty shoot out, Khiradhar Soy, Rupai Hansdah, Nipendra Das and Sankhu Marandi converted four out five spot kicks for Club-73, while Sunil Naik, Shekh Wazid, Sudam Soren and Pratap Sethi scored for the Directorate, which finished runners-up for the second year in succession.
Stalemate continued as Salkhu Hembrum (Club-73) and Basudeb Soren (Directorate) successfully netted the first two goals in the sudden death. But Surajit Behera’s abortive spot kick cost Directorate dear as Basudeb Chhachhan scored off the seventh spot kick to clinch victory for Club-73. Business tycoon Tara Ranjan Pattnaik gave away the trophy at the closing ceremony of the six-week-long league, conducted by Bhubaneswar Athletic Association.
PHOTO: Yazdani Club-73 players celebrate after winning the final match of the Bhubaneswar Football League on October 11, 2009.
