BHUBANESWAR 28-May-2013 363
Odisha finished runners-up in the Coca Cola U-16 National Football Championship when they lost to Meghalaya by a solitary goal in the hard-fought final at Father Agnel Sports Complex in Mumbai today.
Cricket superstar Saching Tendulkar and India football captain Sunil Chhetri handed over the trophy and prizes at the closing ceremony.
Earlier in the semifinals, Odisha defeated Goa by 5-4 in tie-breaker after play in the regulation as well as extra time ended in goalless draw. Bijaya Behera, Badha Hembram, Rajesh Nayak, Bishnu Minz and Fagu Hansdah converted the five penalty kicks for Odisha.
Odisha reached the semifinals with two emphatic wins and one draw in the quarterfinal league at Pune. Led by Kartik Chandra Bhol, Odisha started their campaign on a flying note, trouncing Tamil Nadu 4-0. The scorers were Bishnu Minz, Amar Lakra, Bijaya Behera and Fagu Hansda.
They secured their last-four berth, hammering Punjab 5-0 in the next game. Bijaya Behera starred in the win with three goals, while Sanjay Lakra contributed a brace. In the last league match, Odisha held Maharashtra 1-1 draw with Bijay Behera scoring the equaliser for Odisha.
ODISHA TEAM: Karthik Chandra Bhol, Bishnu Minz, Fagu Hansda, Mohammad Sajjid, Raman Mallah, Fakir Oram (all Sambalpur); Rajesh Nayak, Bikash Kumar Sahoo, Bijay Behera, Rakesh Kumar Sahoo (all Cuttack); Fagu Baskey, Krishna Kerketta, Amar Lakra, Sanjay Lakra (all Bolangir); Bipin Mahato, Amar Oram (both Nayagarh); Pabitra Dissari (Kalahandi); Badha Hembram (Phulbani); Sunil Oram (Sundargarh); Manas Swain (Balasore). Coach: Akshay Das, Assistant coach: Parasar Bag.
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PHOTO: Odisha team with Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Chhetri in Mumbai on May 28, 2013.
