Services in Santosh Trophy semis

Anil Datt

Ludhiana, March 9

Services drew with West Bengal (1-1) to assure a place in the semifinal of the 69th National Football Tournament for Santosh Trophy at Guru Nanak Stadium.

The second team from the group will be the winner of Punjab vs Maharashtra match. Punjab, now is in a must win position. If, Punjab play a draw or lose, they will make exit, leaving the berth for West Bengal.

Defending champions, Mizoram along with Kerala from Group B have already secured berths in the last-four stage.

In the penultimate league match of Group A, Services went into an early lead. Teams were yet to settle down when striker, Arjun Tudu managed to pierce through rivals’ territory to send a sizzler, stunning West Bengal in the very second minute of the encounter.

However, their joy was short-lived as star player of West Bengal, Raja Das produced a brilliant goal in the next minute to level the score (1-1). Both the teams pressed hard to gain lead but failed to capitalise on the chances which came their way and eventually, had to content with a draw.

In Jalandhar, Mizoram played out a (2-2) draw with Goa to stop them from entering the semifinals.