Odisha crashed out of the Swami Vivekananda U-20 Mens National Football Championship, losing their third and last Group-G league match 1-2 against Assam at RKM Ashrama Ground in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh today. This was the second defeat for Odisha, who earlier went down 0-3 against Sports Authority of India (SAI) after holding Goa to a goalless draw.

Sports Authority of India (SAI) qualified for the quarterfinals from Group-G, winning two games and drawing one. Football Association of Odisha (FAO) fielded an 18-member State Team in this championship. Barial Tudu led the team with Akshay Das as the head coach. A total of 36 teams participated in the championship. Teams played league matches in eight groups and the top team from each group qualifed for quarterfinals.

ODISHA U-20 MENS FOOTBALL TEAM: Goalkeepers: Laxman Kisan, Kuana Barja. Defenders: Lokanath Munda, Arkit Xaxa, Prakash Mirdha, Sursing Purty, Nirmal Oram, Ainthu Tudu, Monoj Santa. Midfielders: Barial Tudu (Captain), Pintu Santa, Pintu Oram, Rohit Kishan, Prasant Bari, Rocky Majhi. Forwards: Mohan Guntha, Sainar Jojo, Jitendra Meher. Head Coach: Akshay Das, Assistant Coach/Manager: Chitta Ranjan Behera, Physio: Arjun Singh.

ODISHA RESULTS:

18 April 2025 (League match): Odisha drew with Goa 0-0.
20 April 2025 (League match): Odisha lost to Sports Authority of India (Dhanush Ramesh 4, Ningthoujam Moramba Singh 62, Anaj M 90+3) 0-3.
22 April 2025 (League match): Odisha (Fulung Brahma 79-OG) lost to Assam (Ashish Chetry 13, 38) 1-2.
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PHOTO: Players, coaches and physio of Odisha U-20 mens football team at photo session in Bhubaneswar on 15 April 2025.