Services disrupted by a determined Punjab

Mon, Jun 16 01:40 AM

TILL SUNDAY, the title looked a clinch for them. But their opponents in the summit clash, Punjab, banking on determination, dedication and spirit ensured that they had the last laugh.

As result, the Santosh Trophy went to Punjab for the second time in succession. Punjab's triumph in the final of the 62nd J and amp;K Bank Santosh Trophy at the Bakshi Stadium on Sunday also dashed Services's hopes of winning their maiden title in the 67-year-old tournament.

Services started the tournament with a lot of promise, raised the tempo in the pre-quarterfinal stage, trampled over their opponents in the quarters and then there was the dissection of Bengal in the semi-finals. But Raghevendra Singh's talented lot cracked when it mattered most against a workman like Punjab outfit.

In a match where the likes of Sochungmi Raleng and Shaji d'Silva from Services and Punjab's Amandeep Singh and Sukhwinder Singh were expected to dominate, it was the unheralded Jaspal Singh who made the difference. It was Jaspal who shot the defending champions into lead, converting a penalty after Lal Ruatefela was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box eight minutes after the breather.

It also put an end to Services's dream run that began over three weeks ago. After Jaspal made Services custodian Rabikanta Singh go the wrong way, the question was could Punjab hold on? Coach Jagir Singh, from the dugout, beseeched his wards to stay strong and hold on to the lead.

The message was to tame Raleng, to be wary of Shaji and to watch out for those astute crosses from Jiten Meithi and Mahesh Rai. While Punjab did the basics right and followed the instructions of their coach to the tee, the crowd that thronged the stadium in anticipation of a cracker went home slightly disappointed as the match did not live up to its billing, the biggest let down being Raleng.

The 23-year-old had been prolific in the tournament but on Sunday, the Assam Rifles recruit was a pale shadow of his usual self as Punjab kept a tight leash on him with Jaspal, Gurwinder Singh and Ravinder Singh doing the needful. Though ineffective for most part, Raleng nearly found the equaliser moments after Jaspal's strike, but Karanjit Singh brilliantly punched his rasping right-footer to safety.

Though the defence shouldered most of the responsibility in keeping Raleng and Shaji in check, Punjab would have been lost without the resolute services of Sukhwinder, Jagpreet Singh, Harvinder Singh and Baljit Sahni in the midfield. While there was plenty of action in the first 45 minutes, in the second half the attacks were few and far between.

Though Shaji gave early signs of things to come as early as in the fourth minute, it was Punjab who held sway after that. Shaji's attempted header off a Jiten cross was well kept out by Karanjit.

The key to take on an aggressive side is to play an attacking game and Punjab did it with a lot of confidence. After Sakatar Singh and Sukhwinder's efforts failed to break the deadlock, it was the turn of Amandeep Singh to test the Services citadel, but his right-footed drive off Ravinder crashed into the side netting.

Mismanagement in JKFA Thanks to mismanagement on the part of the Jammu and Kashmir Football Association, the outstation journalist, covering the final, were in for a shock after they found that the person in-charge of the media centre disappeared soon after the match got over. Sunday being a holiday, the cybercaf and #233;s in and around the city were shut and this resulted in many journalists missing the deadlines.

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