Report by Pratap Pradhan; Bhubaneswar: Defending champions Kalinga Bidyapitha and last year’s runners-up Vikash Residential School registered contrasting wins in respective opening league matches of the MCL Cup 29th Bhubaneswar Inter-School Football Tournament here at Unit-VI Boys’ High School Ground today.
Playing like the champion team, Kalinga Bidyapitha rode on a double by Mihir Dehuri to pulverise St Joseph’s High School 5-0 in Group A. Dehuri struck in the 18th and 32nd minutes after Ashok Padhi drew first blood early in the second minute.
Other two goals for Kalinga Bidyapitha were netted by Anil Padhi (23rd) and Mohan Bhoi (36th). A skillful left-winger, Ashok Padhi’s performance fetched him the player of the match, which was handed over by former Odisha woman javelin international Sushama Behera.
Later in the day, Vikash Residential School faced stiff fight against DAV School, Pokhariput before winning their Group-B match by solitary goal. After a barren first half, Biswajit Mallick scored the all-important goal in the 35th minute. He was presented with the man of the match prize by AIFF Refere Instructor Sushant Mohanty.
The tournament is being organised by premier football club Unit-VI Athletic Association. Today’s matches were officiated by match commissioner Maheswar Singh along with referees Prakash Das, Sekhawat Khan, Chandrakanta Barik, Kirti Swain and Bulbul Bhoi. After a gap of three days, the tournament will resume on August 16.
Matches of Aug 16:
First match: Unit-2 High School vs Times Gurukul School (2.30 PM)
Second match: Delhi Public School, Kalinga vs Unit-6 Boys High School (3.45 PM)
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