Imphal: Jammu and Kashmir, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Assam prevailed over their opponents in contrasting styles in preliminary cluster matches of the 58th national football championship for Santosh Trophy on Friday.

While Jammu and Kashmir breezed past Rajasthan 4-0 in cluster one, Mizoram got the better of Madhya Pradesh 2-1 in cluster three. Meghalaya had to struggle hard before overcoming a spirited challenge from Chandigarh 2-1, while Assam blanked Andhra Pradesh 3-0 in other cluster matches.

Bihar, on the other hand, got a walkover against Daman and Diu in cluster five, as the latter did not report in time for the match. The Jammu and Kashmir team rode on a double strike by Deepak Sangral, with Manzoor Ahmad and Manoj Kumar netting one apiece to garner full points against Rajasthan.

The winners drew first blood as early as the fourth minute through Sangral before Ahmad made the score line 2-0 by converting a penalty. J & K kept up the pressure and Sangral netted his second goal in the 83rd minute, while Manoj kumar found the target three minutes later to seal Rajasthan's fate.

Mizoram went ahead through Joseph Lalnunzira in the 10th minute. It strengthened its position after the breather as B Zonunsiama scored in the 48th minute before Rahamat Ali reduced the margin in the 67th minute.

PTI