Semi-final leg of Santosh Trophy National Football Championship begins tonight

The semi-final leg of the 75th Santosh Trophy National Football Championship begins tonight. In the first semi-final, hosts Kerala will take on four-time champion Karnataka at the Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri at 8.30 pm. 

Kerala, the only unbeaten side of the tournament in the group stage,  progressed into the semi-final after finishing Group A toppers. The six-time champion defeated Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Punjab, and drew with Meghalaya in the group



stage. 

In the second semi-final to be played tomorrow at the same venue,  Manipur will clash with 32-time champion West Bengal.  Manipur, the Group B topper with nine points, won three matches it played, but lost to Odisha before reaching the semi-final. 

In the four group encounters, West Bengal defeated Punjab, Meghalaya and Rajasthan, but lost to Kerala to reach the semi-final. The final will be played on May 2.