Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, August 30: Defending champions Bureaucrats-XI maintained their supremacy by winning the title of the Tata Friendship Football Championship for the fourth time in a row at the Kalinga Stadium here, Sunday. They beat Media-XI 3-1 via penalty shoot-out in the final.
In the keenly contested final, the match ended in a goalless draw in the stipulated time. In the ensuing penalty shoot-out, Bureaucrats could convert three of their five chances, while Media could found the net only once. Bureaucrat goalkeeper Debi Biswal stood rock solid to thwart the opposition’s attack four times.
Earlier in the semifinals, Bureaucrats pipped Leaders-XI 1-0, while Media-XI edged past hosts Tata 3-2 via tie-breaker.
Ashok Aapat and Bibhuti Biswal of Media XI received the best defence and man of the final awards respectively.
Alam’s feat
Irsad Alam of Cuttack SAI Hostel is playing in the Kolkata Football League this year. He is representing the East Zone SAI team. “Irsad is a very hard working player. He will definitely taste success in the league,” stated SAI, Cuttack Center coach Surjit Ghosh. “This is also a good sign for the Orissa players. State players should play in different leagues of the country. Then only their skill and experience will be enhanced,” he added.
