BHUBANESWAR 15-Dec-2018
Odisha created football history by winning the title in the Sub-junior National Football Championship at Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh today. Odisha beat hosts Arunachal Pradesh 5-4 in the final, via sudden death tie-breaker after play in regulation and extra time ended in 0-0 draw.
This is the first time that any men’s team from Odisha won the title in National Football Championship. Bishal Oram of Odisha was adjudged as the best goalkeeper of the championship. Odisha qualified for the final, defeating Jharkhand in the semifinals 6-2 in extra time.
Earlier in Group-A of the final round, Odisha played four matches, won three and drew one to advance to the semifinals with 10 points. They won three matches against Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh and drew with Punjab.
Football Association of Odisha Secretary Sanjay Behera declared a total cash award of Rs 2,30,000 (Rs 10,000 for each players and coaches) of the champion team.
ODISHA TEAM: Goalkeepers: Indra Kujur, Bishal Oram. Defenders: Belarasen Kanhar, Debadata Oram, Manoj Minz, Srikanta Mallick, Deepak Dang, Jagannath Tudu, Raja Harijan, Kshetra Bhatra. Mid-fielders: Sashikanta Pradhan, Binod Majhi, A Siba Prasad, Anil Toppo, Ajay Oram, Prem Sagar Oram. Forwards: Arbin Lakra, Hari Hembram, Jhunu Kuldi, Ajay Toppo. Coaches: Rama Krishna Behera, Gyana Ranjan Behera.
ODISHA RESULTS:
Dec 15 (Final): Odisha beat Arunachal Pradesh 5-4 in sudden death tie-breaker (Full time: 0-0).
Dec 13 (Semifinals): Odisha (Ajaya Toppo 38, 75; Hari Hembram 95, Arbin Lakra 109, 111; Ajaya Toppo 114) beat Jharkhand 6-2 in extra time after play in regulation time ended in 2-2 draw.
Dec 10 (Group-A): Odisha (Ajay Toppo 83rd) beat Arunachal Pradesh 1-0.
Dec 8 (Group-A): Odisha (Ajay Toppo 62nd) drew with Punjan 1-1.
Dec 6 (Group-A): Odisha (Jhunu Kuldi 11th, 25th; Arbin Lakra 55th, 88th) beat Maharashtra 4-2.
Dec 2 (Group-A): Odisha beat Tamil Nadu 3-0.
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PHOTO: Players and coaches of the Odisha team with their Sub-junior National trophy and medals in Naharlagun on Dec 15, 2018.
