After the 89th minute blow by Jammu and Kashmir Bank’s captain S Rizwan, with two added minutes of injury time, the Indian Nationals were already wallowing in self-pity. The memory of their group stage victory over their final opponents didn’t help either — the Indian Nationals had come from a goal behind to score twice in the second half for a win.

Another title eluded the Indian Nationals at the 4th Lt. Governor’s Invitational here today at the Ambedkar Stadium.

Nationals’ forwards Anthony missed a clear shot at goal as early as the 17th minute, and then again in the 42nd minute, but couldn’t really free himself from his marker Wasim Feroze.

J&K, more attacking and with greater possession of the ball, had their many misses too. Manish Khatri had the opportunity to score from close range in the 39th minute — but too many touches meant that he’d lost a golden opportunity. Teammate Gurjinder Singh’s shot too was wide off the mark but J&K were persistent.

So persistent that J&K’s best — and the best player of the tournament — Badru Keke Ibrahim collided head first with Nationals goalkeeper Rajat Guha — adjudged the goalkeeper of the tournament — in the 44th minute.