New Delhi: ONGC won their maiden Nehru Cup title after they beat Punjab National Bank 1-0 at the Dhyanchand Stadium here on Friday.

The match which promised a lot of fireworks could not live up to the billing, but did put up a decent show The score line could have  been different had the teams not wasted the opportunity galore that came their way. The match started off well and both the teams put up an intense battle with ONGC creating the first real chance to score a goal when they forced a penalty corner. But the lack of good execution did them in and blew an easy chance. ONGC got the winning goal in the 25th minute through Bikash Toppo off Mandeep Antil’s pass. After the first goal, they looked rejuvenated and continued with their attack, but lack of co-ordination and bad finishing denied them any further goals.

The teams went into the half time with ONGC in the lead. After the change of ends, ONGC’s star player Gurwinder Singh Chandy’s started struggling with knee injury which made ONGC adopt a defensive mode of play. PND seized the opportunities and started making attacking ONGC’s defence line. They played a brilliant passing game and created lot of chances but their players up front missed out on the opportunities.

ONGC who are also one of the sponsors of the tournaments collected a prize money of Rs 2,50,000, while PNB took home half the amount.

Meanwhile Air India defeated Bharat Petroleum 2-0 to finish as the second runners up in the tournament.