Punjab defends Santosh Trophy title, defeats Services 1-0
Jun 16
Defending champions Punjab took a sweet revenge and stunned favourites Services by a solitary goal to lift the 62nd Santosh Trophy national football championship title at the Bakshi stadium here on Sunday. Punjab, who lost to Services in the quarterfinal league stages of the tournament, displayed an all-round performance and broke Services’ heart in the 54th minute of the match when substitute Balraj Singh converted a spot kick after a Services defender handled the ball inside the box. Down by a goal, Services, who qualified for the Santosh Trophy final after a hiatus of 39 years, went all out in search of the elusive equaliser but a determined Punjab defence came in their way on all occasions.
Punjab was undoubtedly the better side on display and their striking trio of Amandeep Singh, Balraj and Balwant Singh, now and then posed serious threats to Services goal. The title holders could have won the encounter by a bigger margin but Services skipper and custodian Robikanta Singh ensured that his team remains in the hunt till the end. Services too had several chances to level the scores but Punjab goalkeeper Karanjit Singh came in their way on every occasion. Services paid the price for relying heavily on their star striker Sochungmi Raleng who was no where near to his lethal best today as Punjab defenders gave him little opportunity to break free.
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