Indian football: Punjab Defeat Assam 2-0 in Santosh Trophy
The Santosh Trophy is an association football knock-out competition contested by the regional state associations and government institutions under the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the sport's the governing body in India.
Before the start of the first national club league, the National Football League, in 1996, the Santosh Trophy was considered the top domestic championship in India. Many players who have represented India internationally played and gained accolades while playing in the Santosh Trophy.
The tournament is held every year with 31 teams who are divided into groups and who must qualify for the tournament proper through the preliminary round. The current champions are Kerala, who won their 6th title during the 2017–18 editions.
Host Punjab defeated Assam 2-0 in Group B match of 73rd national soccer championship for Santosh Trophy at Guru Nanak Stadium on Tuesday.
Punjab increased the lead in the 87th minute through Rajbir Singh to steer his side to a 2-0 win. Earlier in another group B encounter, Maharashtra and Karnataka played out a 2-2 draw to share one point each.
Captain Subhakshan Rabha of Assam scored a suicide goal while Rajbir Singh scored another goal in the 87th minute to ensure Punjab's 2-0 wins. Earlier, in another match of Group B, Maharashtra and Karnataka played a draw from 2-2.
