Punjab Police overwhelm ITI

Bottom-placed Punjab Police overwhelmed Indian Telephone Industries, Bangalore, 2-1 in their concluding Tata National Footbal League match at the Guru Gobind Singh stadium in Jalandhar on Monday.

The proceedings were sluggish for most part of the first half. There was some anxiety when the ITI's George Ekeh received an excellent pass from Mohammad Salisu on the left flank in the 24th minute but his full-blooded shot hit the top bar.

Punjab Police responded to the challenge within two minutes but Vijay Pal's shot went wide, leaving the teams tied 0-0 at the break.

The deadlock was, however, broken within two minutes of resumption when Kuldip, making the most of a loose block by the ITI goalkeeper, tapped the ball in to give Punjab Police the lead.

Minutes later, Sher Singh, who had created the opportunity for Kuldip earlier, was once again in action but this time the ITI goalkeeper was more assured in his glovework.

In the 65th minute, Punjab Police increased the lead when Rajesh Kumar headed in a flag-kick by Harnek Singh.

ITI then mounted a wave of attacks. George Ekah enabled them to reduce the margin heading home a free-kick by Zaheer Abbas from the top of the box.

The win enabled lowly-placed Punjab Police to gather 12 points overall even as ITI remained in seventh place with a tally of 30 points.

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