BHUBANESWAR 23-Jan-2014 182
Gallant Football Club (Cuttack) emerged champions in the 9th Srikrushna Biswal Memorial Football Tournament, edging out local challengers A G Odisha 2-1 in the hard-fought final here at Indira Maidan today. AG Odisha were first to take lead when Kisan Das bulged the opposition net early in the 14th minute.
But Gallant FC fought back in style to clinch victory thanks to a brace by Sunil Nayak, who struck in the 41st and 65th minutes to be adjudged the man of the match as well as the best defender of the tournament.
The champion team received a cash prize of Rs 15,000, while the runners-up were given Rs 10,000. Prakash Jena of AG Odisha bagged the prize as the player of the tournament. Special DG Police Sanjib Marik handed over the trophy at the closing function.
Former India woman football captain Sradhanjali Samantaray, host Sports & Games Organisation secretary Bhagyadhar Jagadeb and sponsor Partha Biswal were present on the occasion.
OTHER RESULTS:
January 14 (Match No 1): Kishore Club (Prasant Nayak, Naran Murmu) beat R K Football Academy, Kanapur 2-0.
January 15 (Match No 2): Friends & Friends (Ajay Ekka 63rd)beat Cuttack Sports Hostel (Sheikh Salim Ahmed 4th) 5-3 in tie-breaker.
January 16 (Match No 3): A G Odisha (Prakash Jena) beat Mangala Club, Cuttack 1-0.
January 17 (Match No 4): Gallant Football Club, Cuttack (Pratap Nayak 2) beat Yazdani Club-73 (Santosh Nayak, Munda) 6-4, in tie-breaker (FT 2-2).
January 19 (1st semifinal): Gallant FC beat Friends & Friends Club 4-1 in penalty shoot out.
January 21 (2nd semifinal): AG Odisha (Bhabani Mohanty) beat Kishore Club 1-0.
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PHOTO: Players of Gallant FC with the winners’ trophy in Bhubaneswar on January 23, 2014.