Bureaucrats XI beat defending champions Legislators XI 2-1 in the final to lift the trophy in the 3rd Tata Steel Festival Football Tournament at Kalinga Stadium here today. Suresh Chandra Mohapatra and S G Durga scored for the victorious side, while Gregory Minz pulled one back for vanquished outfit.
Earlier in the semifinals, Bureaucrats XI edged out host Tata Steel XI in penalty shoot out, while Legislators XI overcame Media XI in similar fashion. Tie-break rule was applied in both the matches after play in the regulation time ended in 1-1 draw.
Though tournament aimed at strengthening the bond of friendship between legislators, bureaucrats, mediapersons and corporate executives, winning the trophy had become a challenge for the bureaucrats, who missed it narrowly in the first two editions.