Karnataka rally back to hold Mizoram 2-2 in Santosh Trophy

AIFF Media 

Defending champions Karnataka came from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Mizoram in Group B of the 77th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy Final Round at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh today morning. 

What looked Mizoram running away with full three points after goals from MS Dawngliana and MC Malsawmzuala but Karnataka showed the champion spirit to score twice in quick succession in the second half through Prabin Tigga and Vishal R to rescue a point. 

Today’s draw was Karnataka's second consecutive draw after a 1-1 result against Delhi on Thursday. 

Mizoram took the lead after a sensational move between Malsawmzuala and Dawngliana. With a superb behind-the-back flick, the former picked out the latter, who lashed a parabolic shot into the goal with a cleanly-hit half-volley. 

Mizoram were off the blocks quicker again in the second half and doubled their lead after another brilliant build-up. Winger Lalthankima got the better of Tigga with some exquisite footwork before cutting it in from the by-line. Arriving at the end of the cross was Malsawmzuala, who drove it into the bottom corner with a first-time shot.

But Karnataka were not done and dusted. Ravi Babu's side struck twice in two minutes to turn the game on its head. In the 67th minute, Nikhil Raj's cross from a free-kick slipped through the gloves of F Lalmuanawma and Tigga was on hand at the back post to bundle it in. Then, Sathish Kumar set up Vishal R with a great through ball into the final third. The latter took his time and slotted it in, wrongfooting Lalmuanawma.

Karnataka will be playing their third group game against Manipur on Monday, Feb 26.

Vishal to lead Karnataka in Khelo India Youth Games

Vishal R will lead the 20-member Karnataka state football team that will take part in the Khelo India Youth Games to be held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh from February 1-10. Karnataka will take on West Bengal on Feb 2 followed by matches against Odisha (Feb 4) and Meghalaya (Feb 6) in the preliminary round. 

Karnataka managed to send a strong squad comprising of several players plying their trade for clubs in BDFA League league - 7 from Super Division, 2 from A Division, and 3 from B Division. 

Squad: 

Vishal R (captain), Arjun Gowda (vice captain), Karthik S, Soham S Oulkar, KR Shashwath, Prateek Kashyap, Aniketh BP, Tanish Tamanna, Rowan James, Vedanth Singh, Nivruthi, Rayaan Shakeer, Amogh G, R Neil Joseph, Ishaan Raghunanda, Aditya Kalasur, Abhishek S Pawar, Yohan Victor Britto, Allen Dhammu, Gautham Rajesh

Coach: Xavier Vijay Kumar Asst Coach: Alex Praveen 

Final 

• Feb 10, 2023: Kerala 2 (Kiran K-43’, Sreeraj CP-31’) vs Karnataka 0 

Semi Final 

• Feb 6, 2023: Punjab 2 (Karan Singh Manota-36', 45') vs Karnataka 3  (Abhishek SP-18'[P], Vishal R-45'+1', Ishaan Raghunanda-77') 
• Feb 6, 2023: Meghalaya 3 Vs Kerala 5   

Group B 

• Feb 2, 2023: Karnataka 3 (Abhishek Pawar-29', 85', Amogh Ajay Gachhi-39') Vs Bengal 2 (Pritam Biswas-58', Bipradip Mandal-76')
• Feb 4, 2023: Karnataka 3 (Ishaan Raghunanda-21', Abhishek SP-57', Aditya Kalasur-90') Vs Odisha 1 (Wongden Lama-61')
• Feb 6, 2023: Karnataka 1 (Abhishek Pawar-4') Vs Meghalaya 2 (Cannyson Kharnaior-40’, Blanangshngain Khongsdam-68’) 

Roots score upset win over Kickstart in Puttaiah Memorial

New entrants to Bangalore top division, Roots FC, created an upset of sorts in the Puttaiah Memorial defeating tournament favorite Kickstart FC by a goal this afternoon at the Bangalore Football Stadium. Vishal R latched on to a deflection from the midfield, kept his composure, and placed it home. The goal came in the added time of first half when Kickstart were constantly pressurizing Roots’ defence. 

Kickstart had a good 10-15 minutes in the beginning to test Roots’ defence, which looked shaky owing to the lack of experience in this occasion. Captain Nikhil, using his experience came to team’s rescue for few times. 

Kickstart got the best chance to equalize in the early second half from a direct free-kick at the top of Roots FCs 18-yard box, but Shelton’s powerful kick found the woodwork. Despite keeping opposition under pressure, they failed to get the equalizer. 

In another Zone B game played in the evening, Bengaluru FC boys trounced Kodagu FC 5-0. After two days (August 13), Kickstart FC will take on Kodagu FC and Bengaluru RC will play against Roots FC.