PTI
NagpurFormer champions West Bengal outplayed Punjab 1-0 in a league match, while Goa overcame Assam by a similar margin in another tie in the Senior National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy, on Thursday.
West Bengal had lost to Goa in their first fixture. On Thursday, West Bengal got the all important goal in the 11th minute through Naro Harri Shreshta who unleashed a left footer from a midfield pass. Bengal enjoyed the lead for most of the time. After the lemon break, Punjab exerted heavy pressure on the rival citadel but bengal goalkeeper Priyant Kumar Singh brought out some good saves.
Punjab could not translate their supremacy in later stages of the game. A free kick was awarded to Punjab outside the box but Vijay Kumar, who replaced Pawan Kumar Tiwari, missed the opportunity to restore parity.
In the other match, Goa defeated Assam 1-0. Rowilson Rodrigues netted the lone goal in the 16th minute. On Friday, Maharashtra will take on Mizoram, while Railways clash with Services.
