Cuttack: Manipur continued to be the nemesis for Odisha eves once again as the hosts had to be satisfied with the runners-up finish in the Sub-Junior Girls’ National Football Championship after losing 1-2 to the visitors in the final at the Barabati Stadium here Thursday.
Manipur was completely the dominant team throughout the match. They put constant pressure on the hosts with a relentless attack from the very beginning. Their effort was soon rewarded as L Bibicha Devi opened the account for them as early as in the eighth minute of the match.
However the goal was equalised when N Gitanjali Chanu of the visitors committed a blunder in front of the goal melee and inflicted a self goal in the 40th minute. After the equaliser Odisha players showed some intent and fought back valiantly.
Both the teams failed to break the deadlock in the regulation time. But when it seems that the match will go to the extra time H Shilky Devi (90+3) struck in the added on time to seal the fate of the match.
State sports and youth affairs minister Chandra Sarathi Behera joined as the chief guest and distributed the prizes.
