Santosh Trophy 2023-24: Maharashtra fetch win, Karnataka play out draw
(Courtesy :Â AIFF Media)
Maharashtra were the only side who won a game today in the Santosh Trophy.
Karnataka began their Santosh Trophy title defence with an eventful 1-1 draw against Delhi at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia on Thursday, February 22, 2024.
Both goals came in the first half as Appu Arogya Swamy Pâs long-range stunner for Karnataka was cancelled out by Prabin Tiggaâs own goal. Delhi, however, fluffed a golden chance to win it in injury time when Sridarth Nongmeikapamâs penalty was well-saved by Christurajan T.
Karnataka started on the front foot and shouldâve taken the lead as early as the seventh minute when Sathish Kumar blazed wide in front of a gaping goal from just six yards out. Minutes later, Rashid CKâs curling effort went wide and Godwin Johnsonâs rather harmless-looking shot slipped between Delhi goalkeeper Ashish Sibiâs gloves and trickled just wide of the post.
But both glove and post were out of the equation in the 23rd minute when Appu swung his right foot to perfection, curling the ball into the bottom corner from 25 yards out. Receiving the ball from Vishal R, the 25-year-old didnât think twice, took two touches and whipped it in.
The joy, however, didnât last long for Karnataka. Just three minutes later, Delhi skipper Jaideep Singh made a dangerous run into the box from the left before squaring the ball into the middle. Goalkeeper Christurajan missed it and it took an unfortunate touch off defender Prabin Tigga and rolled into the empty net.
Delhi started the second half as the brighter side. In the 58th minute, Sridarth Nongmeikapam volleyed a loose ball on target only for Nikhil G to make a terrific goal-line clearance. The capital side started to see more possession in the Karnataka half but struggled to create any real openings. The holders started to pile more pressure towards the latter stages, keeping Sibi busy between the sticks. The Delhi custodian made a great double save to deny substitutes V Vignesh and Nikhil Raj.
There was to be a final twist in the tale as deep in added time, Delhi were awarded a penalty following Nikhilâs clumsy fall on Bhaaranyu Bansal. Sridarth, the youngest member of the Delhi squad, stepped up but saw his low right-footed shot saved by Christurajan and both sides had to settle for a point each.
Railways hold Manipur in the rain
In a rain-lashed afternoon kick-off, Manipur had to share the spoils after conceding a late equaliser by Railways. Phijam Sanathoi Meeteiâs side-footed volley from Samsonâs long ball set up a fabulous opening goal for Manipur in the 56th minute. The 2002 champions wouldâve put the game to bed had Ngangbam Pacha Singh not missed a penalty and Sanathoi not struck the bar. However, they were made to pay for their poor finishing as Railways equalised in the 96th minute, with Akash Babu tapping in the rebound after Rajesh Sâs header came off the woodwork.
Maharashtra make a perfect start
Maharashtra ended the day as the only team to bag a win as they defeated Mizoram 3-1. Advait opened the scoring in the 26th minute as he let fly from the edge of the box after a couple of stepovers. The lead was doubled in the 77th minute after Lalhmunmawia turned Himanshu Patilâs cross into his own net. Mizoram did pull one back when substitute MC Malsawmzuala slotted in Lalthankimaâs delivery, but Maharashtra were assured of the points deep in injury time as Dipak Prakash Patil scored into an empty net after an unselfish pass from Himanshu.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.
Latest News
- Chelsea make first contact for Victor Osimhen; Romelu Lukaku included in swap deal: Report
- Tottenham plan to cash-in on Richarlison in summer 2024: Report
- Top 10 players with most appearances in an ISL final
- Lionel Messi breaks record for most goal contributions in single MLS game against NY Red Bulls
- â Bolton vs Barnsley Predicted lineup, betting tips, odds, injury news, H2H, telecast
Trending Articles
- Coaches who made it to ISL final in their debut season
- Coach Habas helped us believe in ourselves, says Mohun Bagan forward Dimitri Petratos
- The vision of the academy is to identify young talented footballers, says U-19 RFYC asst. coach Saksham Kakkar
- Looking back at all the ISL finals
- Report: Jamie Maclaren has two more offers apart from Mohun Bagan
Editor Picks
- ISL 2023-24 Final: Mohun Bagan vs Mumbai City FC Report & Highlights
- Mumbai City FC come from behind to lift ISL Trophy
- We conceded but kept pushing, says Lallianzuala Chhangte after ISL triumph
- Trying to stay at Mohun Bagan for another season, says Antonio Habas after defeat in ISL final
- ISL 2023-24: Who got their hands on the awards?