Punjab FC edge Minerva to seal junior football hat-trick

Punjab FC captain Jasmeet Singh (L) on his way to score against Minerva.

PANAJI
Punjab FC clinched the Dream Sports-AIFF Junior Football Championship title for the third consecutive year after defeating fellow Punjab side Minerva Academy 5-3 in a penalty shootout in the final played at Atal Stadium in Bambolim on Thursday.
The summit clash ended 1-1 in regulation time after an entertaining and fast-paced contest between the two sides.
Minerva dominated the opening stages and kept Punjab FC under pressure for most of the first half. However, Punjab’s defence remained resolute before skipper Jasmeet Singh handed his side the lead in the 38th minute. The midfielder produced a swift counter-attacking move down the right flank before beating the Minerva goalkeeper with a low strike to give Punjab a 1-0 advantage at half-time.
Minerva responded strongly after the break and restored parity in the 49th minute when forward Azam Khan found the net during a goalmouth scramble following sustained attacking pressure.
Both teams continued to create chances in the remainder of the match, but neither could find a winner, forcing the contest into penalties.
Punjab goalkeeper Augustasya Gupta emerged as the hero in the shoot-out after saving substitute Ramung Zimik’s effort. Punjab FC converted all their spot-kicks to seal a 5-3 victory and retain the title for a third successive year.
The match was played under overcast skies, with weather conditions remaining favourable throughout the evening.