Hosts Karnataka secured a victory in their opening Group H match of the Santosh Trophy on Friday, but their 3-0 win over the spirited Lakshadweep side at the Football Stadium in Bengaluru was far from convincing. The former champions struggled to break down a determined defence, leaving fans who expected a goal fest largely disappointed.
A Stubborn Defence and Missed Opportunities
The match seemed to be heading for a one-sided affair when Karnataka captain Nikhil Raj Murugesh Kumar converted an early penalty in the 8th minute. However, the anticipated flood of goals never materialised. Lakshadweep defended resolutely, forcing Karnataka into wasteful finishing. The hosts were twice denied by the woodwork, with Rohen Singh rattling the crossbar and India international Macarton Louis Nickson hitting the post.
Despite constant pressure and a flurry of chances, the Karnataka attackers lacked sharpness in the final third. The frustration grew until just before halftime, when Nikhil Raj scored his second, connecting neatly with a cross from Rohen Singh in the 43rd minute to double the lead.
Lakshadweep's Valiant Effort
While most of the action was confined to their half, the islanders from Lakshadweep earned respect for their disciplined performance. They not only contained the favourites but also created moments of excitement. Medio Mohammed Sinan, their standout player, and substitute striker Akthraudheen came close to scoring, proving they were not just there to make up the numbers.
The second half followed a similar script, with Karnataka dominating possession but failing to add to the scoreline from close-range opportunities. It took until the third minute of added time for substitute Karthik Govind Swamy to finally net the third goal, putting a slightly more flattering look on the scoreboard.
Group H Context and Looking Ahead
The uninspiring start raises questions for Karnataka as they face tougher challenges ahead. They play Services on Monday and Goa on December 24. Earlier in the day, Services sent a strong message by thrashing a below-par Goa 4-0. Abhishek Pawar scored a brace (59th, 64th minutes), with Roashan Panna (67th) and Vijay J (69th) adding the others in a quickfire sequence.
Final Group H Results:
- Services 4 (Abhishek Panwar 59, 64; Roashan Panna 67, Vijay J 69) beat Goa 0.
- Karnataka 3 (Nikhil Raj 8-pen, 43; Karthik 90+3) beat Lakshadweep 0.
