Karnataka's hopes of progressing in the Santosh Trophy national football championship were dealt a severe blow on Monday after a hard-fought 1-2 defeat against Services at the Bangalore Football Stadium. The result leaves Group H finely poised, with the final round of matches on Wednesday set to decide which team advances to the next stage.
Dramatic and Physical Contest Decides Group H Fate
The match was a high-stakes, physical affair, reflected in the referee's book. Referee Jarvish Macwan issued nine yellow cards and one red card over the ninety minutes. The intensity was palpable as both teams understood the implications of the result for their tournament survival.
Services seized the initiative early. They were awarded a penalty in the eighth minute after a handball decision, which was calmly converted by Khullakpam Zahir Khan. Khan doubled his and his team's tally just seven minutes later, in the 15th minute, with a powerful header from a pinpoint cross delivered by midfielder Shubham Rana.
Karnataka's Fightback and Controversial Disallowed Goal
Staring at a two-goal deficit, Karnataka struggled to create clear chances in the first half. They emerged with more purpose after the break. Their persistence paid off in the 68th minute when Macarton Louis Nickson unleashed a spectacular long-range strike, assisted by Dhanush R, to bring the home side back into the contest.
Buoyed by the goal, Karnataka pushed relentlessly for an equaliser. In a dramatic twist, deep into the second half, substitute Manglenthang Singsit appeared to have scored the leveller during a frantic goalmouth scramble. His celebrations were cut short, however, as the referee ruled out the goal for a foul, leaving the Karnataka players and fans distraught.
Services Hold Firm Despite Late Red Card
The closing stages grew increasingly tense and physical. Services' Chanambam Singh received his second yellow card and was sent off, forcing his team to play the final minutes with ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Services defence held firm to secure a vital three points.
This result sets up a decisive final day in Group H on Wednesday. Table-toppers Services, with this win, will face Lakshadweep, while second-placed Karnataka must now defeat Goa and hope for other results to go their way to have any chance of qualification. Only the group winner advances to the next round.
In the other Group H match played earlier on Monday, Goa and Lakshadweep played out a 1-1 draw. Selwyn Miranda scored for Goa, with Sabir Pandaram netting the equaliser for Lakshadweep.
