Srinagar: J&K got off to a terrific start in the 78th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy 2024-25 as they beat football powerhouse State Punjab in its opening match at GNDU SPORTS COMPLEX on Wednesday.
In its opening match of the Group A- J&K were against title contender Punjab and it was the toughest match of the group. Going through the history, J&K have always fallen back against a side like Punjab which has won Santosh Trophy multiple times.
However, this time it was different as the J&K side led by former India International Mehraj Din Wadoo as coach, threw a major suprise in the entire tournament by defeating last years runnerup side Punjab by 1-0 goals. The all important goal was scored by J&K Bank captain Adnan Ayub in the 50th minute. It was the only goal scored in the match and Adnan was declared as player of the match.
Punjab was relatively a tougher side comprared to other two, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh in the group. With J&K earning win against them, there chances of making it to second round have relatively gone up.
In another match of the group, Ladakh beat Himachal 2-1.
J&K is going to next clash against Himachal Pradesh on November 22.
Meanwhile unlike other J&K Football teams this year who were selected with the major interference from non elected J&K Football Association officials, the selection of J&K Santosh Trophy team was entirely handled by J&K Sports Council with Wadoo at the helm of selection.