AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Mizoram and Punjab made winning starts in the 71^st National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy being played in Goa.

At the GMC Bambolim Stadium, a dominant Mizoram ran past Maharashtra 3-1. Mizoram surged into an early lead when Lalchhuanawma Vanchhawng scored in the 8^th minute.

Stung early, Maharashtra tried to regroup and it paid dividends when U-21 Player Rahul Das restored parity four minutes later.

But it was Mizoram who seized the initiative just prior to the interval when Lalfakzuala Fakzuala put them ahead in the 44^th minute.

Changing over, Lalrinpuia sealed the fate of the match in the 55^th minute for Mizoram.

In the other match, Punjab scraped past Railways 2-1. U-21 Player Manvir Singh put Punjab in the lead in the 16^th minute, a score which Punjab held on till the interval.

Railways restored parity through striker Rajesh Soosanayakam in the 59^th minute.

However, Punjab scored immediately in the next minute again, this time Rajbir Singh bulging the net in the 60^th minute.