Mohali, April 16, 2025: Punjab FC (PFC) eased past Mohun Bagan Super Giant 2-0 to defend the Dream Sports National Championship Finals which was held at Raia in Goa. Goals from Shubham Gurung and Ashish Lohar in either half ensured that the Under -17 side complete a clinical performance.
The side remained unbeaten throughout the tournament in the regional qualifiers and continued that in the national finals to bring home the title.
PFC started attacking the Mohun Bagan goal from the start and continued to pile on the pressure throughout the match. Shubham Gurung opened the scoring in the 10th minute of the game slotting a low cross from Rishikanta Singh. The second goal came in the 64th minute with Ashish Lohar applying the finishing touches, with a powerful finish past the goalkeeper at the end of a fine run down the left wing. The Young Shers were the far better side in the match, racking up a total of 21 shots with 14 of them in target. The final score could have been a lot more if not for some fine performance under the goal by Nandan Roy and some last ditch blocks by the Mohun Bagan defenders.
Vishal Yadav, who scored five goals was named the Player of the Tournament while Shubham Gurung was named the Player of the Finals.
The Ramesh Gangaram Bista coached side qualified for the finals of the tournament winning all their Group B matches including beating English Championship side Norwich City FC 2-1. They also posted comfortable 3-1 victories over SESA Football Academy and Football 4 Change, Manipur in the other two matches.
