Odisha suffered a heart-break in the 1st Swami Vivekananda U-20 Mens National Football Championship as they missed a quarterfinal berth by a whisker after their crucial third and last Group-A league match against Manipur ended in a 1-1 draw at Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh today.

Both Odisha and Manipur tied for the top spot in the group with seven points from three matches each. But Manipur emerged group toppers with a superior goal difference, scoring 12 and conceding two. Odisha bowed out of the championship, finishing second in the group, scoring five goals and conceding one.

Odisha brightened their hopes for a last-eight berth as Suresh Khadia gave them an early lead, scoring from a rebounder in the 12th minute. But Manipur restored parity with Ashangbam Bhaskar Singh netting the equalizer in the 51st minute.

Odisha, however, ended their campaign with the consolation of not losing a single match. They won two out of their three league matches, defeating Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh by 2-0 identical margin.

In the quarterfinals, Manipur will meet winners of Group-H, wihch features Sikkim, Telangana, Bihar, Andaman & Nicobar. Semifinals would take place on May 20, followed by the final on May 22. The championship would feature a total of 55 matches.

ODISHA U-20 MENS FOOTBALL TEAM: Goalkeepers: Bishal Oram (Captain), Indra Kujur. Defenders: Ansh Chhatria, Dhaneswar Beshara, Ganesh Naik. Midfielders: Chintu Nag, Arbin Lakra, Anil Toppo, Manjit Oram, Indra Oram, Abhinas Kishan. Forwards: Bhenketeswar Oram, Salhai Tudu, Ajay Toppo, Agastin Munda, Chandra Mohan Purty, Suresh Khadia, Ronik Majhi.
Team Staff: Hrusikesh Behera (Head Coach), Prabala Kumar Das (Assistant Coach), Arjun Singh (Physio).

ODISHA RESULTS:

21 April 2024 (Group-A league match): Odisha (Dhaneswar Beshra 47, Suresh Khadia 76) beat Himachal Pradesh 2-0.

23 April 2024 (Group-A league match): Odisha (Anil Toppo 22, Chandra Mohan Purty 90+5) beat Chandigarh 2-0.

25 April 2024 (Group-A league match): Odisha (Suresh Khadia 12) drew with Manipur (Ashangbam Bhaskar Singh 51) 1-1.
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PHOTO: Players and officials of Odisha U-20 mens football team pose before their league match against Chandigarh in Narainpur on 23 April 2024.