Malappuram: Manipur reached the semi-finals of the Santosh Trophy Football Championship. In the decisive match of Group B, Kottapady Stadium, Karnataka defeated Karnataka by three goals. Lunmin Line Hokip scored a double. Somishon Shirak also scored.
Manipur are currently top of the group with nine points from four matches with three wins and one loss. Karnataka have four points from three matches, with one win, one loss and one draw. Manipur took the lead in the 19th minute. Karnataka defender Darshan made a mistake on the right wing and Somishon Shirak got the ball into the box.
Lunmin Line Hokip from between the defenders crossed the line. Hokip’s lightning strike in the 42nd minute. The lone attack of the player who advanced with the ball through the right wing crossed the goal and into the post. The third goal came in the 44th minute. Goalkeeper Jayant Kumar reached the right wing like a hockey player and hit the ball which was hit by Somishon Shirak. Somishon immediately turned the opportunity into a goal.
Bengal by semi; Meghalaya waiting for a miracle
Malappuram: The matches to decide the second semi finalists of Group A of the Santosh Trophy Football Championship will be held on Sunday. Bengal will take on Rajasthan at Kottapadi Stadium in the evening. Payyanad Meghalaya-Punjab match will also be played at night.
With Bengal beating Rajasthan, the semi-finalists will not have to wait till night. Bengal will enter the semifinals with nine points from four matches with three wins and one loss. The Meghalaya-Punjab match will only be relevant if Rajasthan beat Bengal.
Meghalaya has four points for every win, draw and loss. Punjab won by three points with one win and two defeats. Meghalaya, with four points, will be seven if they beat Punjab. Meghalaya can reach the semi-finals if Rajasthan beat Bengal.