Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 4: Jammu and Kashmir today qualified for knockout stages of pre-quarterfinals in the ongoing 67th Senior National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. In the second league match, played today, J&K defeated Assam by a solitary goal. It was Rizwan, who converted the penalty kick awarded in favour of J&K in the 70th minute. Earlier, the first half of the play remained barren. With two wins, first being against Rajasthan (3-1), J&K reached the knock-out stages. There were four teams in the group, but Andaman and Nicobar could not report, which helped J&K through to the pre-quarterfinals with having secured highest six points.
Now, the second round of competition shall start from February 21 at Kerela. So, the state team shall be returning to Jammu on February seven for a week's break. Thereafter, the team shall depart for Kerela after February 15.
It was for the fifth time that J&K has qualified for the knock-out stages of the prestigious Santosh Trophy, including twice being host in 1987 and 2008. The team is accompanied by Sat Pal Singh as coach, Zahoor Teli and Karan Nayyar as manager and physio respectively. |
