Orissa edge Jharkhand to enter BC Roy Trophy final

Orissa pipped title holders Jharkhand 4-3, via tie-breaker to enter the final of the 46th Junior National Football Championship for B C Roy Tropy at MV Stadium, Mandya, Karnataka today. In the closely contested first semifinal, teams were locked goalless at the end of regulation and the extra time. In the tie-breaker, Orissa converted four spot kicks against three by Jharkhand. Sudam Soren, Sanatan Lohar, captain Mohammad Zahid and Sushanta Jena scored the four goals for the winners. However, goalkeeper Ramesh Chandra Nayak turned out to be the hero of the victory, saving four goals in the regulation time and two in the penalty shoot out. This is the fourth time in the history of the championship that Orissa reached the final. In the inaugural edition, Orissa lost to Bengal in the final at Burdwan in 1962. In 1977, Orissa again lost to Bengal in the title clash at Cuttack. Two years later, Orissa finished joint champions with Karnataka. In the ongoing edition, Orissa earlier posted wins over Meghalaya, Goa, Bengal: drew with Jammu-Kashmir and Manipur and lost to Mizoram. The second semi final will be played between hosts Karnataka and Mizoram tomorrow, while the final will take place on January 10.