Football Association of Odisha on Wednesday named a 20-member state team for the for 20th Senior Women National Football Championship to be held at Dibrugarh and Golaghat in Assam from April 27  to May 13.

Mid-fielder Subhaprava Rout will lead the team with Jabamani Soren as her deputy. Defending champions Odisha have been placed in Group B with Haryana, Mizoram, Karnataka, Gujarat and Goa.

Odisha are scheduled to play their opening match against Mizoram at Dibrugarh on April 28. They would subsequently meet Haryana on April 30, Karnataka on May 2, Gujarat on May 4 and and Goa on May 6 at the same venue. After league matches, the top team from the group will advance to the semifinals.

Speaking on Odisha`s chances to retain the title, coach and former India captain Sradhanjali Samantray said: ``We have a young and less experienced team this time. We are missing most of our international players as they would be turning out for Railways, their employers. We have also been placed in a difficult group. But the girls are very enthusiastic and we will try our best to win each and every match.``

Meanwhile, the All India Football Federation selected four women referees from Odisha to officiate matches in the National championship both at Dibrugarh and Golaghat. They are Sudipta Das, Chitrambada Patra, Retali Baral and Bishnupriya Das.

ODISHA TEAM:
Goalkeepers: Sita Sharma, Tikina Samal, Sukanti Roul.
Defenders: Karisma Oram, Parbati Kujjur, Rachita Mallik, Nandini Munda, Hema Xaxa, Digi Majhi.
Mid-fielders: Subhaprava Rout, Gayatri Mallick, Kunti Lakra, Sunulata Sahoo, Anima Mallik, Swarna Priya Nayak, Arati Anima Khadia.
Forward: Pyari Xaxa, Jabamani Soren, Sakina Nisha, Meneka Mallik.
Coach: Sradhanjali Samantaray; Manager: Gitanjali Khuntia.
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PHOTO: Odisha team for the Senior National Women Football Championship pose at Cuttack on April 23, 2014.