U-20 Mens NFC: Odisha Post Successive Wins

Players of Odisha U-20 men's team pose before their match against Chandigarh in Narainpur on April 23

Chandigarh: Odisha rode on a goal each by Anil Toppo and Chandra Mohan Purty to beat Chandigarh 2-0 in their second Group-A league match of the 1st Swami Vivekananda U-20 Mens National Football Championship at Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, on Tuesday.

This was the second successive win for Odisha U-20 men, who defeated Himachal Pradesh by identical margin in their opening match earlier on April 21. Led by goalkeeper Bishal Oram, Odisha will play their third and last league match against Manipur on April 25.

With two wins and six points each, both Odisha and Manipur have brightened their hopes to grab the lone quarterfinal spot from this group. Manipur, however, hold a slight advantage as they are better placed on goal difference.

While Manipur have scored 11 goals so far and conceded one, Odisha have netted four and are yet to let in any. Group-A toppers would play the second quarterfinal against Group-H winners on April 28.

Group-H features Sikkim, Telangana, Bihar, Andaman & Nicobar. Semifinals take place on May 20, followed by the final on May 22. The championship would feature a total of 55 matches.

23 April 2024 (Group-A league match): Odisha (Anil Toppo 22, Chandra Mohan Purty 90+5) beat Chandigarh 2-0.