Punjab secured a spot in the semi-finals of the Swami Vivekananda U20 Men’s National Football Championship by defeating Tripura 2-1 in a thrilling quarter-final at the RK Ashram Ground 1. Sahij Pal emerged as the hero for Punjab, scoring a dramatic extra-time winner in a closely-fought match between two group winners.
Tripura, showing resilience, equalized in the 66th minute through substitute Arma Jamatia, forcing the game into extra time. In the first few minutes of extra time, Sahij Pal scored again, propelling Punjab into the last four of the championship.
Earlier, Punjab equaled Maharashtra’s points tally with a dominant 6-2 victory over Assam on Ground 1 at the RKM Ashrama. Sahij Pal’s hat-trick and goals from other players sealed Punjab’s impressive win, setting up a strong position for the team in the tournament.
Punjab only needs a draw to advance to the next stage, thanks to their superior goal difference, while Maharashtra requires three points to progress. Tripura also made headlines by defeating two-time champions Delhi in an earlier match, showcasing their potential in the competition.
