BHUBANESWAR 30-Sep-2011 376
Sambalpur Football Academy (SFA) cornered glory by emerging champions in the 9th Administrator`s Challenge Cup All-India Football Tournament (Under-17) at the Sector-17 Football Stadium in Chandigarh today. The SFA boys trounced host Chandigarh Football Academy 3-0 in the final to take home the top prize of Rs 2 lakh.
Gorachand Marandi (26th), Mohammad Aziz Hussain (40th) and Sawan Marandi (66th) scored the three goals for the winners. Punjab Governor and Administrator Shiv Raj Patil handed over the glittering trophy and the cheque at the closing function. On their way to the final, the Sambalpur side won three out of four league matches in Group C to qualify for the semifinals, where they overcame IFA Academy of Kolkata 2-1.
The SFA side started their campaign in style, trouncing defending champions Mohun Bagan SAIL Football Academy (Kolkata) 3-0. Jugal Das, Gorachand Marandi and Paran Majhi scored the three goals for the winners. In the next match, they Mahilpur Football Academy 1-0 but suffered a 1-0 defeat in the third match against Mizoram Sarbasikshya Aviyan.
However, a thumping 5-1 victory in the last league match against Dalbir Football Academy (Patiala) helped SFA book their place in the last-four round. This win was made possible due to superb display by Sawan Marandi, who pumped in four goals, including a hat-trick.
SFA Managing Trustee and Sambalpur MLA Jaya Narayan Mishra congratulated the boys for their title triumph and announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh.
SFA team: Mohammad Tajuddin, Ajmir Chisty, Ashad Ekka, S Pritam Singh, Syed Aiju Oasim, Deepak Oram, Gorachand Marandi, Bijaya Barik, Laxman Murmu, Sawan Marandi, Mohammadd Aziz Hussain, Avijit Ruidas, Jugal Das, Akash Oram, Raju Bishar, Paran Majhi, Sunil Munda.
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PHOTO: SFA boys receive the trophy from Punjab Governor Shiv Raj Patil in Chandigarh on September 30, 2011.
