Earlier in the semifinals, Shibani and Monalisa lost to to Puducherry opponents V Sasikala and A Kanimozhi 21-17, 14-21, 13-15. In the quarterfinals, the Odisha duo prevailed over Puducherry 2-0 (21-17, 21-9) on October 8.

Shibani and Monalisa qualified for the quarterfinals, winning two matches and losing one Group-A league. They defeated Telangana 2-0 (21-19, 22-20) and Kerala 2-0 (21-16, 21-11) but went down fighting to Karnataka 1-2 (21-13, 16-21, 9-15).

But in mens beach volleyball, Odisha crashed out from the league stage, losing all of their three matches in Group C. Odisha duo Bibek Palai and Sunil Das lost to Tamil Nadu 11-21, 16-21, Telangana 19-21, 4-21 and Karnataka 10-21, 16-21.

Odisha also ensured itself atleast a silver medal on women football by defeating Tami Nadu 3-0 via penalty shootout in the semifinals at TransStadia, Ahmedabad. The exciting match went to the shootout stage after play in the regulation time ended in 2-2 draw.

Star strike Pyari Xaxa scored both the goals for Odisha in the regulation time (44th, 82 nd minute). In the shoot out, Juli Kishan, Jasoda Munda and Satyabati Khadia converted the first three penalty kicks for Odisha.

Substitute goalkeeper Rajeswari Das clinched victory for Odisha by saving one penalty kick. Odisha women footballers have the opportunity to clinch the gold medals when they take on Manipur in the final tomorrow. Odisha mens football team has already crashed out of the Games, suffering 0-3 drubbing in their last group-league match against Services on October 6

Meanwhile, star-studded Odisha women hockey team, featuring four Olympians and many internationals, bowed out the competition losing to Madhya Pradesh 2-4 in the quarterfinals on October 7.

With the three medals today, the total number of medals for Odisha became 19, which included three gold, seven silver and nine bronze.
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TOP: Odisha woman beach volleyball players Shibani Priyadarshini and Monalisa Patra pose with coach Sudhanshu Bhusan Mishra and manager Sanjay Kumar Das at the 36th National Games in Surat on 9 October 2022.
RIGHT: Tomthilnganba Ngashepam celebrates after winning canoeing silver medal at the 36th National Games in Ahmedabad on 9 October 2022.