Railway edge out Punjab Police 1-0

Duler, Mar 3 (UNI) Sabir Maji's first half goal was enough for South Eastern Central Railway (SECR) to get the better of Punjab Police 1-0 to gain full points in the ONGC Second Division National Football League (NFL) match played at Mapusa in North Goa today.

The all important goal for Railways came in the 24th minute which was ultimately turned out to be the match winner.

The railwaymen could have won the match by much bigger margin had they utilised the chances that came their way specially in the second half which was dominated by them.

Railways shot into the lead in the 24th minute through Subir Maji. It was a move initiated by Kulvant Singh who passed it to Ramchandra Murmo whose power packed shot hit one of the rival defenders and deflected towards Subir who was lurking inside the goal to pounce upon the opportunity and shot into the net.

Railway had another chance to increase their lead in the 28th minute but Punjab goalkeeper Sunil Kumar brought off a fine save off a shot by Kulvant Singh after being bed by Mohammad Rizvan.

Punjab could have levelled the score in the 35th minute had not Gurpit Singh's 35-yarder hit one of the Railway defenders and went for abortive corner.

Railways, which had dominated the second half, had couple of chances to increase the lead. In the 82nd minute, Mohammad Rizvan's long range shot off a free kick was beautifully fisted over by Punjab goalkeeper and then in the 84 th minute, Ramchandra Murma after collecting a pass from Kulvant Singh unleashed a shot which hit the rival defender and went wide.

Tomorrow SBT will take on ONGC at the same venue.

UNI