Host Odisha came from behind to hold Maharashtra to 1-1 draw in their opening Group-A match of the Final Round of 76th Senior Men National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy at Capital Football Arena in Bhubaneswar today.

Armash Nasir Ansari gave Maharashtra the lead in the 57 th minute, while Chandra Muduli equalised for Odisha in the 83rd minute. In two other Group-A matches of the opening day, defending champions Kerala edged out Goa 3-2 at Capital Football Arena, while Punjab and Karnataka played 2-2 draw at OSAP 7th Battalion Ground.

Odisha Sports Minister Tusharkanti Behera graced the opening ceremony of the championship, which is being jointly organised by Football Association of Odisha (FAO) and the Department of Sports & Youth Services (DSYS), Government of Odisha at three venues in Bhubaneswar.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) Secretary General Dr Shaji Prabhakaran, FAO Secretary Asirbad Behera and Joint-Secretary Avijit Paul were present at the opening ceremony.
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PHOTO: Odisha defender Bikash Sahoo (No 16) in action during their Santosh Trophy match against Maharashtra in Bhubaneswar on 10 February 2023.