Punjab Boys, Haryana Girls through to Khelo India School Games finals

The two teams have been amongst the most consistent at the games.

Punjab maintained its unbeaten run on the football pitch in the first Khelo India School Games with yet another solid display as its marched into the boys’ final with a 3-1 victory over Haryana at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here today.

Though Punjab dominated the first half, playing a neat one-touch passing game, it just had one goal show for its efforts. Is domination was evident as Haryana boys were left chasing the ball.

Midfielder Sukhwinder Singh, who missed the previous match due to an ankle injury, marked his return with a thumping goal in the 37th minute to open his team’s account. Haryana would have been in deeper trouble had it not for the defensive abilities of centre back Rohan and left back Sahil.   

In the second half, Haryana made some forward movement but Punjab forward latched on to a loose ball from a defensive error to hammer in the second goal in the 50th minute with a thunderous shot b Harmanpreet Singh. Despite being 2-0 down, Haryana pressed on for which it was rewarded when Sahil slotted the ball in Punjab’s net in the 50th minute.

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Haryana’s best chance to level the scores came in the 72nd minute when it earned a penalty.  But Gulbhar Singh, who stepped up to execute the kick, sent the ball soaring over the crossbar with a wild kick.

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In the last 10 minutes, Punjab pressed in order to enhance its one goal advantage. Its attacking strategy paid off in the 87th minute when Jashandeep Deep Singh executed a perfect finish to an excellent cross from Sukhwinder Singh to make it 3-1.

The girls’ semifinal turned out to be a one-sided affair as Haryana thrashed West Bengal 8-0.  The fate of the match was sealed in the first half itself when Renu pumped in three goals in the 19th, 45th and two minutes into injury time. She added to her tally in the 72nd and 73rd minutes. Haryana captain, Samiksha, scored in the 64th, 69th and 79th minutes.