Punjab beat Asom en-route to Under 21 Nat'l Football final

Guwahati, May 24 (UNI) Asom's hopes of winning the Under-21 National Football championship on home-turf were dashed as they lost to last year's runners-up Punjab in the first semi-final today.

Punjab edged out fighting Asom 2-1 to enter the final with the winning goal coming in the extra time (106th minute) after both the sides were locked 1-1 in the regulation time.

Asom established early lead when striker Mintu Boro scored in the 29th minute with deft footwork leaving the rival goal-keeper watching the ball rolling inside the net.

The hosts maintained their lead till the first half and could have increased the tally had they not wasted some chances that came their way.

After the lemon break, Punjab regrouped and went for the offensive and Baljit Sahni scored the equalizer in the 58th minute connecting a brilliant pass from Manpreet Singh.

Both the sides were locked 1-1 till the end of the first session of extra time, but a minute into the second half of the extra-time Satwant Singh netted the winning goal for Punjab to the dismay of home crowds.

Punjab will now meet the winner of the second semi-final match between West Bengal and Goa to be played tomorrow. The final is on May 27.

UNI