Punjab win National Junior Football title

Punjab beat Goa 1-0 to lift the Dr B C Roy trophy, the symbol of supremacy in National Junior football, in Jodhpur on Friday.

The match-winning goal was scored by medio Avtar Chand in the 64th minute.

It was Goa who dominated the proceedings for long spells with superior ball control and short passes but Punjab made full use of the limited oppurtunities that came their way.

After a goalless first half, a swift attacking move by Punjab in the 64th minute saw Goan defender Joaquim D'Silva conceding a a free kick just outside the penalty box with a mist-timed rough tackle.

Sarabjit Singh did not try a direct shot and instead set it up for Avtar Chand who beat the Goan goal keeper with a powerful rightfooter that nestled into the right corner of the cage.

Stung by the reverse that came against the run of play, Goa tried their best to find the equaliser but their efforts were in vain.

Earlier, in the first semi-final Goa had edged past favourities Bengal in tie breaker 4-2 while in the second, Punjab beat Manipur by a solitary goal in 60th minute through Kularjeet Singh, in Jaipur on Wednesday.