Santosh Trophy: Karnataka enters into semifinals after defeating Gujarat in Manjeri

In the Santosh Trophy Football, Karnataka sneaked into the semifinal, defeating Gujarat four goals to nil, in the last group match at Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri yesterday evening.

With this win, Karnataka had seven points from four matches, equalling Odisha's point tally. Karnataka got into the semifinal on a better goal difference.

Karnataka scored the first three goals within a span of just 30 minutes. Karnataka's Sudheer Kotikela placed the ball past the Gujarat goalkeeper twice in the 12th and 28th minutes of the game, while Kamalesh scored another goal in the 27th minute. Magesh Selvan scored



the solitary goal in 59th minute in the second half, taking the lead to 4-0.

Kerala topped the Group A table with 10 points from four matches, followed by West Bengal with nine points. In Group B, Manipur with 9 points topped the table, followed by Karnataka with 7 points.

In the first semi-final scheduled to take place on Thursday, Karnataka will take on hosts Kerala. In the second semifinal on Friday, Manipur will meet West Bengal. Both matches will be played at Payyanad Stadium at 8 pm.

The final will be held on 2nd of next month.