JCT shock Vasco

JCT Mills, Phagwara, denied Vasco, Goa, a chance of finishing second in the National Football League, upsetting them 2-1 in the concluding round match in Ludhiana on Monday.

Had Vasco won the match, they could have finished behind champions Mohun Bagan. With 40 points, all they could manage was a third placing behind Churchill and above another Goa team -- Salgaocar.

Coached by Sukhwinder Singh, who guided his team to the inaugural NFL crown, JCT, who were languishing at the bottom of the league table, put up a splendid display today, displaying better combination than their superior rivals.

It was JCT who forged ahead, when Hardip Saini scored in seventh minute.

After the breather, JCT's Nigerian recruit Stephen made it 2-0, much to the dismay of the strong Goan outfit.

Vasco's Peter Rodrigues, Marcos Pereira and Sanjay made some sporadic moves, which, however, failed to make any impression on the JCT goal.

The lone goal for Vasco was scored by Rodrigues following a flag-kick.

JCT logged 21 points from 22 matches.

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