But the referee clearly failed to see that Hasan was ahead of the last defender and what should have been called an off-side was converted into a goal in the 22nd minute.
After this it was Punjab all the way as they kept the pressure on their opponents with regular attacks. The second goal came their way in the 33rd minute after Hasan gave a good pass down the center to an unmarked Amandeep who scored easily.
"The boys stuck to the gameplan, of short passes and good interceptions, which helped us secure the easy win. But I would have been happier had the half chances been taken, as in the main round there will be tougher oppositions," Jagir Singh, Punjab's coach, said.
The UP coach on the other hand, said after the match that the confidence of the boys was dented because of the poor refereeing.
Punjab now join Kerala and Mizoram who have already qualified from the South and North-East zones, respectively, for the main round to be played at Jamalpur, Bihar, from May 16.
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=182084
