Bengal edge past TN

Hosts Punjab took full advantage of home conditions to edge out Tamil Nadu 2-1 in a group league match of men's football competition in the 31st National Games in Jallandhar on Thursday.

Punjab struck twice in quick succession in the opening session through striker Gurjit Singh and Ram Pal in a fast paced encounter at the Guru Gobind Singh stadium. P Muthu reuced the margin for Tamil Nadu in the 50th minute.

The hosts began with a flourish and took tight control of the game midway through the opening session as they pumped in two goals within two minutes to leave their opponents in a daze.

Striker Gurjit Singh struck the first goal in the 25th minute while Ram Pal consolidated the position for his team by netting the second goal two minutes later.

Trailing 0-2, Tamil Nadu played their hearts out in the second session and did manage to make a few forays into the rival citadel.

P Muthu raised hopes of a fightback, scoring the goal in the 50th minute but the Punjab defenders did well to keep their rivals in check thereafter.

In the women's competiton, title aspirants Manipur blanked Kerala 3-0 in a group league match to consolidate their position for a semi-final berth.

K Lokeshori (34th), S Manitombi (44th) and N Geetarani (68th) were the scorers for Manipur.

Bihar pulled off a stunning solitary goal victory over Maharashtra in another women's league encounter.