BHUBANESWAR 21-Sep-2011 156
Orissa finished runners-up in the 57th National School Football (U-17 Boys) Championship, which was held at Srinagar (J&K) from September 15 to 20. In the exciting final, Orissa fought hard before losing to Manipur 5-6 via sudden death.
Play in the regulation and extra time failed to produce any goal, while both the sides converted four penalty kicks each in the tie-breaker. In the sudden death, Manipur scored twice, while Orissa could net once through Prasanjit Bag.
Orissa earlier beat Chandigarh 2-1 in the semifinals and Delhi 1-0 in the quarterfinals. Led by Bikash Padhiari, Orissa won all three of their group league matches to march into the last-eight round.
They started their campaign on a rousing note, mauling Vidya Bharati 12-0. In the next matches, Orissa boys spanked Haryana 5-1 and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti 4-0.
Captain Padhiari emerged as the highest scorer of team with seven goals. Asa Ekka, Prasanjit Bag, Mohammad Saroon Nawab (4 each); Gora Chand Marandi, Basant Toppo (2 each) and Chaturananda Marandi (1) were other goal-getters of the team.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PHOTO: Players of Orissa team school football team are felicitated in Cuttack on September 24, 2011.
