Urmila Das Football Club retained the trophy in the 9th Jayanata Kumar Mohapatra Memorial Women’s One-day Football Tournament, defeating star-studded East Coast Railway in a repeat final by 5-4 goals, via tie-breaker, here at Unit-VI Boys’ High School Ground today.

Tie-break rule was applied after play in regulation time ended in goalless draw. Purnima Rao, Mamata Patra, Jyotsna Mallik, Sanulata Sahoo and Sasmita Swain converted the five spot kicks for Urmila FC, while Pravasini Parida, Pratima Murmu, Pyari Xaxa and Puspita Majhi scored from the spot for East Coast Railway, whose first kick, taken by Suprava Samal, was saved by opposition goalkeeper Rajashree Das. Subhadra Sahoo of the victorious team was adjudged the player of the final match.

Altogether four teams participated in the tournament, which was organised by premier foorball Club Unit-VI Athletic Association. Earlier in the semifinals, Urmila FC beat Nita Ambani Football Academy 5-3 in penalty shootout, while East Coast Railway Pravailed over Government Sports Hostel 1-0.

India striker Pyari Xaxa netted the all-important goal for the Railway side. The other semifinal went to the tie-breaker after play in the regulation time ended in 1-1 draw. Purnima Rao scored for Urmila FC, while Budheswari Majhi netted for Nita Ambani FA. Majhi pocketed the prize as player of the match.

The champion team received a cash prize of Rs 4,000, while the runners-up side settled with Rs 3,000. The two losing semifinalists were given Rs 2,000 each. Purnima Rao and Rajashree Das (both Urmila FC) bagged the individual prizes as player of the tournament and best goalkeeper respectively. Railway duo Pyari Xaxa and Puspita Majhi received the prizes as best forward and best mid-fielder respectively. The best defender prize went of Jabamani Tudu of Sports Hostel.

The trophy and prizes were given away by former India woman football captain Sradhanjali Samantaray, Income Tax Deputy Commissioner Pranati Mishra, Bhubaneswar Athletic Association joint-secretary Naba Ranjan Patnaik, member Narendra Sethy, senior volleyball coach Amiya Kumar Mishra, Jitendra Kumar Mohapatra, Unit-VI Athletic Association secretary Tapan Kumar Mohanty and Pravasini Mohanty. The host association’s vice-president Prafulla Kumar Mishra and secretary Dillip Kumar Das were present on the occasion.

The tournament was conducted by match commissioner Maheswar Singh aling with referees Prakash Das, Saroj Moharana, Sekhawat Khan, Amit Nayak and Ashirbad Kanungo.
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PHOTO: Players of champion Urmila FC with guests at the presentation ceremony in Bhubaneswar on August 27, 2017.