The semi-final line-ups of the 78th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy were completed at the Deccan Arena on Friday, December 27, 2024, when Kerala and Services joined West Bengal and Manipur in the penultimate rounds.
In the semi-finals on Sunday, December 29, 2024, West Bengal will cross swords with their age-old Santosh Trophy rivals, Services followed by the Kerala versus Manipur clash .
In the last two quarter-finals played on Thursday, football powerhouse Kerala overcame the dogged resistance of Jammu and Kashmir to win 1-0 and make the semi-finals for the 31st time, while defending champions Services survived some anxious moments during the closing stages before overcoming Meghalaya 2-1.
In the day’s first match, Kerala finally broke the deadlock through a Naseeb Rahman goal in the 73rd minute. In the other outing, Thingnam Bidhyasagar Singh (33’) and Rahul Ramakrishnan (46’) scored for Services, while Overkindness L Mawnai (86’) pulled one back for Meghalaya.
Naseeb Rahman’s lone strike seals J&K’s fate
Naseeb Rahman rose to the occasion once again as he scored the solitary goal of the match to help Kerala defeat Jammu and Kashmir 1-0. Rahman, who scored in the 73rd minute against Jammu & Kashmir, is now the joint second-highest scorer of the tournament (alongside Tamil Nadu’s Lijo K) with seven goals to his name.
Kerala have been a formidable force in this season’s Santosh Trophy, arriving at their quarter-finals against Jammu and Kashmir as one of the unbeaten heavyweights of the competition. With a potent attack, Kerala’s team dynamics have allowed them to score an impressive total of 29 goals while their defence too stood firm, conceding only four goals so far.
Facing such a high-performing team, Jammu and Kashmir, under the tactical guidance of former Indian defender and coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo, prepared a robust defensive strategy to counter Kerala’s aggressive play. They effectively closed down spaces in the midfield, crucial for disrupting Kerala’s build-up play, and tightly marked the wingers to prevent them from making impactful runs down the flanks.
The first half thus saw Kerala’s players visibly frustrated as they struggled to penetrate the solid defensive setup of Jammu and Kashmir. And even when they did, Jammu and Kashmir’s goalkeeper Majid Ahmad was alert and positioned perfectly to make timely saves.
Jammu and Kashmir themselves showed flashes of threat. In the 27th minute, Aakif Javaid dashed down the right flank and delivered a cross to Talib Nazir inside the penalty box. Despite having ample time and space, Nazir’s shot sailed over the crossbar as the first half ended goalless.
Entering the second half, Kerala intensified their efforts and piled on more pressure on the Jammu and Kashmir defence. Their persistence paid off in the 73rd minute when a defensive mistake by Jammu and Kashmir provided them with a golden opportunity. Joseph Justin delivered a cross that the defenders failed to clear effectively, allowing Naseeb Rahman, who had already netted six goals in the tournament, to take control with his chest. Rahman showcased his composure and striking ability by firing a decisive volley past the goalkeeper, putting Kerala ahead.
Jammu and Kashmir rallied to mount a comeback and came close to scoring the equaliser in the 88th minute. A cross from the right was fisted away by Kerala goalkeeper Hajmal S. However, the ball landed at the feet of Shahmeer Tariq, who quickly took a shot, but his effort agonisingly soared over the crossbar.
In what turned out to be an ‘open’ encounter filled with end-to-end action, both Meghalaya and Services expressed a willingness to attack and seize control right from the outset. Services began with a high-tempo approach, stringing together rapid passes that stretched Meghalaya’s defence. They looked to exploit the flanks effectively, creating space and sending dangerous crosses into the box.
Meghalaya, determined not to be outplayed, countered sharply. Their strategy involved swift, direct attacks that repeatedly tested the Services backline.
The game’s first significant chance came Services’ way when Alan Thapa unleashed a long-range shot from 24 yards. The strike bypassed Meghalaya goalkeeper Siwel Rymbai but clattered off the crossbar.
Responding with purpose, Meghalaya’s Donlad Diengdoh overpowered his marker inside the box to set up teammate Damanbhalang Chyne. Positioned perfectly, Chyne, however, skied his effort over the bar.
Services continued to probe, with Sreyas VG missing a golden opportunity after skillfully maneuvering past defender Wanboklang Lyngkhoi. However, his final shot drifted wide.
A defensive lapse at the other end from Services goalkeeper Gagandeep Singh nearly cost his team dearly as he misplaced a pass straight to Chyne. With Singh out of position, Chyne faced an open goal but his hasty shot was too direct, allowing Singh to recover and make a save.
The breakthrough finally came in the 33rd minute through a brilliantly orchestrated play by Services. Midfielder Alan Thapa, showcasing his precision and vision, sliced through Meghalaya’s defence with a pass to Bidhyasagar Singh. Singh, making a well-timed run, collected the pass and coolly slotted the ball home, giving Services a deserved lead as the first half concluded.
Starting the second half with the same intensity, Services doubled their advantage immediately. A swift attack from the left allowed Ramakrishnan to toe-poke the ball past Rymbai, who failed to keep it out, pushing Services further ahead in the 46th minute.
Facing a two-goal deficit, Meghalaya intensified their efforts, launching a barrage of attacks. Despite creating numerous chances, their forwards’ lack of composure in front of goal meant many opportunities were squandered.Their persistence paid off in the 86th minute when a well-delivered cross from the right found Overkindness L Mawnai at the far post. Mawnai headed the ball in, narrowing the gap, but it was too late to alter the outcome.
Source:AIFF
