Santosh Trophy 2024: Kerala, Railways grab huge wins

The matches saw a goal fest with players scoring.

Seven-time champions Kerala massacred Lakshadweep 10-0 in the Group H qualifiers of the 78th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy at the EMS Corporation Stadium on Friday, November 22, 2024.

With six points in their kitty from two matches, the hosts are firmly placed in the group for the final round qualification.

Substitute Sajeesh E with a hat-trick to his credit was the wrecker-in-chief for the winners, followed by Muhammad Ajsal (2), Gani Ahmmed Nigam (2), Naseeb Rahman, Arjun V and Muhammed Musharaf.

In the day’s first match, Railways toyed with Pondicherry before winning 10-1. Railways, who lost to Kerala in the first match, have three points.

The winners, who led 6-0 at halftime, scored their goals through Sufiyan Shaikh (3), Mohammed Fardan Ali Molla (2), Muhammed Ashiq S, Subrata Murmu, Johnson Joseph Mathews, John Paul Jose and Devindra C (og). Beskin Golson scored Pondicherry’s lone goal in the 80th minute.

Jammu & Kashmir bag full points again

Jammu and Kashmir registered their second consecutive win in Group A with an easy 4-1 verdict over Himachal Pradesh at the GNDU Sports Complex.

J and K, who defeated hosts Punjab in their first match, led 3-0 in the first half. The lead they took was through Huzafah Ahmad Dar in the 22nd minute and increased the tally three minute later off an own goal by Vishal Dogra.

After Aakif Javaid made it 3-0 during the add-on time of the first half, Vishal Dogra pulled one back in the 50th minute converting a penalty kick. J and K rounded off the tally in the 72nd minute Rashid Sahil Dar.

Meanwhile, former champions and hosts Punjab continued to flounder as they were held 1-1 by Ladakh. After Jang Bahadur Singh put Punjab in the lead in the 26th minute, Mohmad Ilyas equalised for Ladakh in the 59th minute.

While Punjab now have one point from two matches, Ladakh are placed second in the group with four points from two matches. 

Comfortable wins for Meghalaya, Assam

Meghalaya took their points tally to six after their second win in Group E. Played at the Deshbandhu Maidan, Mukalmua, Meghalaya defeated Nagaland 3-0.

Donald Diengdoh, Fullmoon Mukhim (penalty) and Fairming Suting scored for Meghalaya.   

Later in the day, Assam blanked Arunachal Pradesh 4-0. While it was the first win for Assam in two matches, Arunachal Pradesh have lost both encounters so far. 

Saturday, November 23, 2024 fixtures:Group F (Amritsar): Chhattisgarh vs Odisha (11 am).

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