By IANS,
Srinagar : Punjab successfully defended their title in the 62nd Santosh Trophy Sunday by defeating pre-tournament favourites, Services, 1-0.
Both teams played aggressive football right from the start of the match.
In the first half, Services maintained pressure on Punjab. But its strikers could not convert some good chances even though they kept the ball close to the Punjab defence lines.
The first half of the match ended with neither team finding the net.
In the second half, Punjab was awarded a free kick as Services defender Mahish Raj handled the ball.
Striker Jaspal Singh took the free kick and neatly netted the ball into the Services goal in the 55th minute of the game.
The remaining part of the match saw some beautiful moves by the Services, but none could result in an equalizer.
S. Raleng of the Services was adjudged as the player of the tournament while Ashfaq of hosts Jammu and Kashmir was given a special award for his performance during the championship.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Das Munsi and Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad were special guests at the finals.