Goa and Kerala will contest the final of the 57th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy, to be played on November 17 at Cooperage here. What should have been a comfortable victory was made into a close encounter as Kerala after leading 5-1, let Tamil Nadu comeback into the last half an hour of the first semi-final today. Kerala eventually won 5-3.Goa prevailed over Railways in the tie-breaker 4-2 after regulation time of 90 minutes and half an hour extra time failed to produce a goal. Both Goa and Kerala thus made their tenth national final. Both have won the trophy three times. Tamil Nadu stunned fancied Kerala with a goal in the ninth minute through culmination of fine work by right linkman Islam, who accepted a return pass from right back Chendur, moved past a rival into the penalty area and drove past Kerala goalkeeper Purshothaman to the far corner. Kerala had started well but the goal upset their rhythm, which gave the defensive Tamil Nadu encouragement to hold out. The Tamil Nadu deep defence and midfield gave little ground despite the Kerala midfield making most of the plays. Then, with Kerala being frustrated repeatedly, came the equaliser 16 minutes from the interval. A long throw by skipper and right stopper Sivakumar into the box was headed by Abdul Hakim into the goalmouth and Asif Saheer found the mark with a spectacular overhead volley. (PTI)
Goa, Kerala enter final with contrasting wins
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