Bhubaneswar: Football Association of Odisha (FAO) XI entered the final of the 20th Tata-Utkalika Cup Invitation Football Tournament after edging hosts Unit-VI Athletic Association by a solitary goal in the first semi-final at Unit-VI High School ground here on Tuesday.
Sunil Sardar netted the lone goal in the 47th minute. FAO XI custodian Soumya Das, who made a brilliant last-minute save, was adjudged the player of the match. Losing semi-finalists Unit-VI Athletic Association were given a cash prize of Rs 5,000.
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Bhubaneswar Athletic Association joint-secretary Nabaranjan Patnaik, Unit-VI Athletic Association vice-presidents Akshay Kumar Das and Prafulla Mishra, and secretaries Dillip Kumar Das, Choudhury Priyanath Mishra and Amiyakanta Mishra were present on the occasion.
Barabati Sporting, Cuttack, will take on defending champions Tata Football Academy (TFA), Jamshedpur in the second semi-final on Wednesday.
