GUWAHATI, May 22 � Indian Railways are through to the semifinals of 65th Senior National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy.
In their second match in group B against Punjab at the Nehru Stadium here today, Railways rallied to beat Punjab 2-1. Railways earned six points from two outings in the quarterfinal league.
Punjab went ahead in the 29th minute converting a spot kick. Railways defender Y Raju Singh brought down Punjab froward Gurpreet Singh inside the box and referee JM Stalin blew the whistle showing the 12-yard spot. Defender Nevtej Singh made no mistake in shooting home (1-0).
Punjab maintained the lead till the break but Railways came all out in the second session and their hard work paid dividends when Antoni Soren struck the equaliser in the 58th minute. Y Raju Singh and PC Riju initiated a move through the middle and Riju�s shot rebounded off Punjab defender Onkar Singh. Unmarked Antoni spared no time to put the ball in the Punjab goal (1-1).
Encouraged by the goal, Railways enhanced their speed and started raiding the opponent citadel with series of forays. In the 68th minute, Ramchander Murmu sent a centre and opportunist Riju struck with a snap shot (2-1).
All the Punjab defenders � Onkar Singh, Talwinder Singh, Nevtej Singh and Jatinder Singh � were not effective today as they failed to contain the Railways attackers throughout the course.
There will be no match tomorrow. On May 24, Railway will play Services at 3.30 pm while Punjab meet Goa at 5.45 pm.
