AIFF Media Team

AMRITSAR, PUNJAB: Odisha had an easy outing on the opening day of Group F qualifiers in the 78^th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy when they defeated Madhya Pradesh 6-1 at the GNDU Sports Complex on Thursday, November 21, 2024.

The winners led 4-0 at half time. Group F has three teams, the third team being Chhattisgarh.

Odisha took early grip over the match as they opened the scoring in the 11^th minute when a cross from the right was tapped in by Arbin Lakra. The winners increased the lead in the 26^th minute after striker Roshan Panna spectacularly weaved through a host of defenders to beat goalkeeper Salamuddin Khan.

Two more goals came in the first half. After Jitu Muduli slammed in a cross from the right by Arbin Lakra in the 37^th minute, Kartik Hantal scored the fourth goal during the add-on time of the first half.

In the second half, Hantal scored again in the 64^th minute before Shubham Mane pulled one back for Madhya Pradesh. Substitute Rahul Mukhi rounded off the tally for Odisha off a penalty during the closing stages. 

Friday, November 22, 2024 fixtures: 

Group A (Amritsar): Himachal Pradesh vs Jammu & Kashmir (10.30 am); Punjab vs Ladakh (2.30 pm).

Group E (Nalbari, Assam): 09:00 - Nagaland vs Meghalaya (9 am); Arunachal Pradesh vs Assam (2 pm).

Group H (Kozhikode): Railways vs Pondicherry (7.30 am); Lakshadweep vs Kerala (3.30 pm).