Karnataka ended their 54-year wait to win the Santosh Trophy nationwide soccer championship on Saturday, beating Meghalaya 3-2 in a pulsating closing on the King Fahd International Stadium within the Saudi Arabia capital.
Egged on by vociferous assist from the stands, Karnataka, who final performed the senior nationwide championships closing 47 years again (1975-76), trumped the first-time finalists, breaching their defence at will and pumping in three targets within the first half to set the tone in addition to settle the eventual final result.
Karnataka coach Ravi Raju Babu had on match eve picked Meghalaya’s defence as a weak hyperlink whereas saying that his staff would look to complete the ultimate in regulation time. On the massive evening, his gamers did simply that, mounting waves of assaults and difficult Meghalaya’s wobbly defence with regularity.
Karnataka acquired on the scoresheet within the second minute — even earlier than the 1,000-strong crowd might cool down — when M Sunil Kumar latched on to a protracted throw by Robin Yadav on the correct to volley residence. Meghalaya, who performed a excessive line, equalised with an eighth minute penalty when Nikhil G physique blocked Meghalaya ahead Sheen Stevenson. It was transformed by the seasoned Brolington Warlarpih.
A minute later, Figo Syndai shot over as Meghalaya sought to pile strain with strikes down both flanks. Figo was within the thick of issues once more, this time from the correct when he shook off his marker and despatched a exact go to Donlad Diegdoh, who did not money in. Karnataka took the lead within the nineteenth minute when Jacob John’s cross fell to Sunil whose exact supply discovered Bekey Oram, and the 19-year-old obliged.
From then on, Karnataka settled into a pleasant rhythm. The reward for his or her sustained aggression arrived within the forty fourth minute when Robin’s curling freekick beat Rajat Paul within the purpose.
Meghalaya pulled one again via Sheen on the hour mark when Banskhemlang Mawlong’s cross from the correct was calmly turned in by the 26-year-old striker. However, the late equaliser did not arrive. Ronladkydon Lyngdoh’s solo run from the midfield and shot that got here off the crossbar typified Meghalaya’s close to misses, permitting Karnataka to have fun their victory.
Services end third
Services beat Punjab 2-0 within the playoff to complete third. PP Shafeel and Christopher Kamei scored in both half. Services, winners of 5 of the final 10 editions, took the lead within the seventh minute via a strike from distance by Shafeel earlier than Kamei transformed a left-footed try from outdoors the field.
Services almost scored once more within the subsequent minute following a defensive lapse from Punjab goalkeeper Shamsher Singh. Bikash Thapa beat an onrushing Shamsher and nearly tapped in however it was saved on the goalline.
Source web site: www.hindustantimes.com
