St Xavier’s post win; St Joseph’s held

Aaron Jena (left) and Bed Prakash Pradhan after scoring a goal each for St Xavier’s High School on Wednesday

Bhubaneswar: St Xavier’s High School, Kedargouri, rode on a goal each by Aaron Jena and Bed Prakash Pradhan to beat DAV School, Pokhariput, in their opening Group-B league match of the 29th MCL Cup Bhubaneswar Inter-School Football Tournament at Unit-VI Boys’ High School Ground here on Wednesday.
Leading from the front Aaron scored in the 18th minute to enable St Xavier 1-0 lead at the half-time. After change of ends, Bed Prakash clinched victory for St Xavier’s, scoring their second goal in style. After receiving a pass from the left flank in the 38th minute, Bed hoodwinked two defenders before beating the opposition goalkeeper with booming right-footer to the right corner of the net. For this beautiful goal he received the player of the match prize from former Odisha opening batsman Prashant Mohapatra.
Earlier in the day, new entrants Palasuni High School held St Joseph’s High School to a goalless draw in their first Group-A match. Guru Mandari of Palasuni High was adjudged the player of the match and he received the prize from Bhubaneswar Athletic Association vice-president Priyanath Mishra.
The matches were officiated by referees Prakash Kumar Das, Pradipta Nayak, Saroj Moharana, Kirti Ranjan Swain and Bulbul Bhoi.