Local hopes were diminished when Services Sports Control Board got the better of New Public School Football Academy of Sector 18 beating them 3-1 in extra time after being tied one-all in given period of the 5th Administrator's Challenge Cup Football Tournament conducted by the Chandigarh Sports Department at the Sector 17 Football Stadium, here, today.
Bobo Singh (75th), Lakhi Ram Murmur (92nd) and Jacki Chand Singh (94th) were the scorers from the winning side. Ramandeep was the one who gave NPS lead in the 30th minute of the game.
The Services players relied on short passes in the first 10 minutes while the NPS boys resorted to long high passes. Soon, the Services lads fired a goal in the 15th minute to tie the score at 1-1. NPS launched a move in the 30th minute. Raul Lorrie sent a good cross for striker Gurpal Singh whoe grounder struck the hands of stopper Limbkand Singh. Referee Rakesh Sharma awarded a spot kick which was converted by Ramandeep Singh to give NPS the lead. On resumption, Services put more pressure and in the 49th minute Lakhi Ram Murmur who made a wall pass with Jacki Chand Singh and took a shot at the NPS goal which was saved by keeper Harbir Singh.
Mounting pressure, Services had a chance to restore parity in the 59th minute. Lakhi Ram Murmur initiated an impressive move from the right flank and gave a through pass to Sunny Kumar whose shot missed the target with a narrow margin.
Services neutralied the lead in the 75th minute. Jacki Chand Singh dribbled past two defenders before giving a square pass to Y Bobo Singh sindie the penalty area. Bobo's left footer brooked no denial from the NPS defence and goalkeepr Harbir Singh.
Thereafter both teams raided each other's defence but a goal eluded them as the stipulated session ended in a one-all draw. The first 10-minute half of extra time too failed to resolve the deadlock.
In the 92nd minute Amarjeet Singh of Services gave a cross towards the NPS goalmouth where Lakhi Ram Murmur converted it with a right footer side volley to give his team lead. Two minutes later Jacki Chand Singh scored the third goal for Services with a left footer.
Jacki Chand Singh was adjudged the best player of the tournament. Limdkand Singh of Services was declared the best player of the match. Harbir Singh of NPS got the best goalkeeper's award.