Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 31: J&K State Football team thrashed Uttar Pradesh by three goals to nil (3-0) in the first group match of 68th Santosh Trophy at Dr BR Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi.
J&K took the early lead in 6th minute of the match through striker Shahid Mushtaq with a fine header. Shahid got another scoring chance in 19th minute but failed to convert it into a goal. Skipper Asif Majeed gave the second breakthrough in 20th minute of the match. J&K was leading by two goals to nil (2-0) in the first half.
In the second half, striker Shahid and Prem, though displayed extraordinary soccer skills, yet failed to score goals for their team. However, substitute Toufeeq Ahmed scored the third goal soon after entering the field with the first touch in 80th minute of the match.
After taking three goals lead, J&K coach Ab Majeed Kukroo made lots of changes in the dying minutes of the match.
Grabbing all three points in the first match, J&K will take on former Champion Punjab on February 2, 2014.
Punjab defeated Himachal Pradesh by (2-1) in the first group match and got 3 points. The match between J&K and Punjab is considered to be a decisive match of the group.
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