Ludhiana: After 12 rigorous days, Punjab and Services are set to lock horns in the final of the national football championship for the Santosh Trophy here Sunday.
Being the home side, Punjab have enjoyed support of the local fans, something that propelled them to gain the last-gasp win in their previous two games – against Karnataka in Group B and against Goa in the semifinal.
The two teams had previously faced off in the final four years back in the 2014-15 season, a match that also incidentally took place at the same venue. While the match itself remained goalless, Services triumphed in penalties by a 5-4 margin.
Services have been one of the most consistent sides in the Final Round of the 2018-19 Hero Santosh Trophy so far; they have been unbeaten in their five matches thus far, netting 11 while conceding just three.
Punjab will be at a slight disadvantage with regards to player availability as their young right-back Chetan Kumar has been ruled out due to a knee injury which he suffered while going for a tackle in their semifinal against Goa.
However, with the home advantage behind Punjab’s back, anything could be possible in the high-intensity final.
PTI