Karnataka crash out of Santosh Trophy despite registering a thumping 11-0 victory over Andaman and Nicobar

The fate was already decided in the morning before Karnataka played their concluding match against Andaman and Nicobar in the four-team Group G encounter of 78th Santosh Trophy at the RDT Stadium, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh. Maintaining an all-win record, Tamil Nadu made to the final round of Santosh Trophy. Karnataka, despite winning their last game with a thumping 11-0 margin proved of no help as the former champions finished with six points, behind Tamil Nadu. Nikhil Raj Murugesh (4), Ryan Wilfred S (2), Crispin Cleetus, Surya UK, Syed Ahmed, Karthik Govind Swamy, and Andrew Gurung were the scorers for Karnataka. 

 

Final round will be played with 9 group toppers (Group A thru I), previous edition's winner and runner-up, Services and Goa, and host state (final round).     

 

This was perhaps Karnataka’s worst Santosh Trophy performance in the last decade. Last season, they finished at the bottom of the group in the final round. A season before that (2022–23), Karnataka emerged champions of Santosh Trophy. They reached semi-final in 2021–22, 2018–19, and 2017–18 season. 

 

Kickstart rout BUFC, Deccan and Roots play 1-1 draw

Kickstart was seen in energetic form in their second round of BDFA Super Division League drubbing BUFC 6-0 at the Bangalore Football Stadium today. In the second match of the day, FC Deccan rally back to hold Roots FC 1-1 in a thriller. 

It was Princewill Emeka again who scored the bulk of goals for Kickstart today but not before Prashanth Kalinga opening the account in the 18th minute. The score was 2-0 in the first half. 

Abhishek Powar-56' made 3-0 after changing ends followed by two from Emeka thus completing his hattrick. 

Promising Nikhil Raj, who was loaned out to Indian Arrows and Odisha in previous two seasons respectively completed the sixth goal in the added time. 

The Roots FC versus FC Deccan game saw the latter pressing early in the game. Roots boys took time to settle down, they had to replace defender Afsal early in the game owing to an ankle injury, but defence held tight not allowing shots from the vicinity. 

While Deccan’s game was constructed mainly thru medio Shelton Nickson, their forward Lijith was troubling Root’s defence. 

Roots did manage to take control of the mid-field later in first half, they had couple of goal scoring opportunity one from a howler from opponent keeper. 

The half-time score read 0-0. 

Post lemon break saw, Roots taking charge having an urgency to score. They took lead in the 59th minute from a move that was orchestrated from defence. Nikhil controlling the ball from back gave to Amogh on the right flank, who in turn passed to Anirudh, the later played to Amogh. Anirudh again got the ball back and put on the back of the net. 

Roots joy did not long last. An inch perfect cross from Shelton reached Kaviarasan, whose free header was out of keeper Mani’s reach. There was no one from Roots defence seen following Kaviarasan’s jump. 

Roots injected three fresh players that resulted more attack from their end but could not convert to a goal.

Nikhil hat-trick floors ADE, Dream United upsets ASC 1-0

Riding on a hat-trick by Nikhil Raj, Kickstart FC registered a big margin win over ADE 7-0 in their fifth game of  Citrus Ventures BDFA Super Division league. 

The youngster opened the account for his team in the 3rd minute of the game and pumped two goals more after changing ends. Uzochi Emmannel scored agoal a piece in each half while Vignesh and Karthik scored one goal each.

In the other match of the day, Dream United upset favorite ASC with a one goal win. Midfielder Dorjee continued his good form after winning last week's Outsanding Player award scored the only goal in the early minutes that was taken ASC by surprise. 

ASC kept pressing for most of the game, but the forwards failed to open Dream's goalmouth.