Odisha women football team won the gold medal in the 37th National Games, beating defending champions Manipur in the nerve wracking final with an overall margin of 4-2 goals at Tilak Maidan Football Ground in Vasco, Goa today.

After play in the regulation time ended in 1-1 draw, Odisha clinched the yellow metal, defeating favourites Manipur 4-2 in penalty shoot out. Star striker Pyari Xaxa scored one goal each for Odisha in regulation time and tie-breaker.

This is the third time that Odisha women football team has won the gold medal in the National Games. Odisha had claimed the first two gold medals at the 33rd National Games 2007 in Assam and the 34th National Games 2011 in Jharkhand. Odisha settled for the silver medal in the 35th and 36th National Games in Kerala and Gujarat respectively.

Under the guidance of captain Supriya Routray and coach Crispin Chetri, Odisha women footballers started their campaign in the 37th National Games with successive wins in Group-B league. They crushed Chandigarh and Goa by an identical margin of 4-0.

Odisha suffered a stunning 4-0 defeat in their third and last league game against Haryana. Notwithstanding the setback, Odisha advanced to the semifinals where they edged out West Bengal 5-4 in tie-breaker (Regulation time 0-0).

Football Association of Odisha (FAO) Secretary Asirbad Behera congratulated the victorious women football team and announced a cash award of Rs 10,000 each for players, coach and support staff of the 25-member State team.

FOOTBALL WOMEN TEAM: Jabamani Tudu, Arifa Zaheer, Supriya Routray (Captain), Munica Minz, Jasoda Munda, Pyari Xaxa, Grace Lalrampari Hauhnar, S Lynda Kom, Bannya Kabiraj, Mamata Patra, Malati Munda, Juli Kishan (Vice-Captain), Subhadra Sahoo, Manisha Naik, Manju Ganjhu (GK), Pragyan Kishan, Sumitra Hembram, Spandita Das (GK), Shibani Mundari, Sonia Ekka. Team Staff: Crispin Chetri (Head Coach), Gayatri Mallick (Assistant Coach), Gomati Bara (Manager).

ODISHA RESULTS:
October 28: Odisha (S Lynda Kom 3 goals, Malati Munda 1 goal) beat Chandigarh 4-0.
October 30: Odisha (S Lynda Kom, Pyari Xaxa, Sumitra Hembram, Subhadra Sahoo) beat Goa 4-0.
November 1: Odisha lost to Haryana () 0-4.
November 3 (SF): Odisha () beat West Bengal () 0-0 (5-4).
November 5 (Final): Odihsa (Pyari Xaxa 51) drew Manipur (Nongmeikapan Sibani Devi 79) 1-1. Shoot out: Odisha (Pyari Xaxa, Grace Lalrampari Hauhnar, Bannya Kabiraj, S Lynda Kom) beat Manipur (Wangkhem Linthoingambi Devi, Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi) 4-2.
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PHOTO: Players, coaches and support staff of Odisha women football team rejoice after winning gold medal at the 37th National Games in Goa on 5 November 2023.