Karnataka make it through to Santosh Trophy semifinal

pic: AIFF Media 

With three teams - Punjab, Karnataka, and Kerala vying for the semi-final spot from Group A in the 76th Santosh Trophy, Punjab took on Kerala while Karnataka were playing against host Odisha in  their last group game.

Karnataka took the lead from side-back Sunil's opportunistic in the 17th min of the game. Odisha quickly equalized via captain Prabin Tigga's goal, then took lead from Chandra Muduli in 35th minute. 

Half-time score read 2-1 for Odisha. 

Karnataka were quick to make it 2-2 from a Shajan Franklin's beautiful header. Post that the state boys dominated the proceedings but the winning goal eluded them.

Punjab takes the top spot with 11 points (3 win and 2 draw) and with 9 points (2 win and 3 draw), Karnataka came as the second best team from their Group thus qualifying for the semi final, which will be played at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

Karnataka beat Uttarakhand in Santosh Trophy

State boys defeated Uttarakhand 3-1 without much diffuculty in their second game of 76th Santosh Trophy, National Football Championship for senior men played at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi yesterday. Karnataka is placed in Group 1, the other teams include host Delhi, Gujarat, Ladakh, and Tripura. After two straight wins, they are comfortably positioned at the top spot (6 pts) followed by Delhi  (4 pts). 

Forward Jacob Jhon Kattookaren opened the account in 21st minute. Ajay Bisht of Uttarakhand equalized in the later stage of first half. Karnataka were quick enough to take lead in the added time of first half from a Shajan Franklin goal. 

When the game almost looked to settle in with the same score, Ankith P, who replaced Jacob in the later half scored the third goal.  

Karnataka play minnow Ladakh tomorrow, December 27, 11 am at the same venue. 

 

 

FCBU record 5-0 win over Young Challengers

FCBU Media  

Defending champions FC Bengaluru United kept up their winning ways in the ongoing BDFA Super Division Championship with a 5-0 win over Young Challengers at the Bangalore Football Stadium. Irfan Yarwad (5, 25), Jairo Rodrigues (7), Chesterpaul Lyngdoh (66)., and Shajan Franklin (77) scored for FCBU. 

Much like their earlier games, FCBU started creating chances from the get-go and were soon rewarded with a goal within the first few minutes. Aenam Jyrwa crossed the ball in from a short corner to set it up for Irfan to head it in and get the defending champions on the scoreboard. Irfan nearly had another goal in the next minute, only to see his shot hit the goalpost. In the seventh minute it was Aenam in the middle of the action once again – this time his cross-in was put away by Jairo to get FCBU up 2-0.

FCBU continued to dominate and control most of the possession, creating half chances. In the 25th minute, a beautiful shot from Shajan Franklin cleanly split the YC defence to set up an easy finish for Yarwad.

It was a similar script in the second half with FCBU dominating possession and control. There was an early chance for Aenam as he went one on one with the YC keeper but was unable to finish it off. Soon after Jairo tried to lob the ball over the YC keeper in the 59th minute only to see the ball sail over the bar. 

A good run by Selwyn Miranda on the left flank in the 66th minute was followed by a shot on target, only to have it deflected by the YC keeper. The ball landed straight at Lyngdoh’s feet, and he didn’t make any mistake to get FCBU up 4-0. 

Eleven minutes later, Franklin secured his first goal of the game through a corner as FCBU went up 5-0. FCBU continued to create a few more chances but were unable to see them through; the score line ended with a strong 5-0 win for the defending champions.  

FCBU continue their winning streak in BDFA Super DIvision

FCBU Media 

Maintaining unbeaten run, defending champions FC Bengaluru United beat Roots FC 3-0 in the ongoing BDFA Super Division League at the Bangalore Football Stadium. Jairo Rodrigues (21’, 84) and Shajan Franklin (59’) were the goal scorers for FCBU.

FC Bengaluru United started strongly, trying to take control of the possession early on. They worked hard to create a few chances – six minutes into the game, Manvir Singh crossed the ball in; after a brief scrimmage, the ball reached Mohamed Kdouh, whose shot on goal sailed high above the bar. In the 14th minute, Shajan tried to make the most of a loose ball only to have it saved by the Roots FC keeper.  

FC Bengaluru United continued to pile on the pressure and attack and the shackles finally broke in the 21st minute. A long throw-in from Praful Kumar was smartly manoeuvred into the goal by Jairo to give FCBU the lead. FCBU continued to create chances; in the 43rd minute a short corner from Manoj Kannan was headed by Jairo towards the goal, only to see it narrowly miss. FCBU went into halftime leading 1-0, having controlled most of the game thus far, Roots FC having only one clear chance - a testimony to how FCBU were strong both in attack and defence.

It was a similar script in the second half, with FCBU setting up chances from the start. Three minutes in, a cross from Aenam Jyrwa set up a clear shot for Selwyn Miranda, only to see his diving header sail high over the bar; soon after an attempt from Shajan from outside the box sailed over the goal. In the 59th minute, Aenam’s cross into the box was misjudged by the Roots FC defender to set up an easy finish for Franklin to get FCBU up 2-0. FCBU continued to press on, controlling possession, and soon enough, in the 84th minute, it was Jairo again, making the most of a Rakesh Pradhan freekick to head the ball in and score his second goal of the match and push FCBU up 3-0.