ONGC pip Punjab police 2-1

Duler, Mar 13 (UNI) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Mumbai, scored a 2-1 win over bottom-placed Punjab Police and kept their hopes alive for a place in the final phase of the ONGC 2nd Division National Football Leage championship at Mapusa today.

Uttam Devnath (8th minute) and Abhishek Yadav (12th minute) scored for ONGC while Parminder Singh reduced the margin in the 88th minute for Punjab Police.

ONGC started on a rousing note and scored two quick goals, first as early as in the 8th minute through Uttam Devanth and four minutes later through Abhishek Yadav and were leading 2-0 at half time.

After the cross-over, Punjab Police improved their showing and reduced the margin in the 88th minute through Parminder Singh.

With this win, ONGC came on par with Chirag United, Kolkata, with 7 points and are to play one more match. Local outfit Vasco Sports Club, which beat SBT yesterday, is topping the table with 9 points from four outings that includes three wins and a defeat.

For Punjab Police, this is their fourth defeat in a row. With no points to their credit, Punjab Police is out of contention.

Tomorrow, Chirag United will clash against South East Central Railway (SECR), Chattigarh, in their fourth match. SECR presently have 4 points from three outings.

The teams which stand first, second and third in the cluster will qualify for the final round to be played in Kerala.

UNI