Quarterfinal berths secured by Services, Goa, Kerala, and Assam in Santosh Trophy Group A

In a thrilling day of Santosh Trophy action at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Itanagar, Services, Goa, Kerala, and Assam secured their spots in the quarterfinals. Hosts Arunachal and last season’s finalists Meghalaya faced tough challenges, needing crucial wins to stay alive in the competition.

Kerala dashed Arunachal’s hopes with a 2-0 victory, while Services emerged victorious with a 2-0 win over Assam to top Group A. Meanwhile, Meghalaya could only manage a goalless draw against Goa, sealing their fate in the tournament.

Kerala’s Muhammed Ashiq S and Arjun V secured the win with a goal each, ending Arunachal’s chances of advancing in the tournament. With the victory, Kerala now has seven points from four matches, while Arunachal has only one point, eliminating them from contention for the knockout stage.

Arunachal fought hard but could not break through Kerala’s defense. Despite their efforts, Kerala remained in control of the match, ultimately sealing their win with strong performances from their forwards. The loss marked the end of Arunachal’s campaign in the Santosh Trophy.

Services dominated their match against Assam, coming out on top with goals from Thingnam Bidhyasagar Singh and P Christopher Kamei. Kamei’s goal came from an indirect free-kick inside the penalty box, showcasing Services’ determination to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.

Meghalaya faced a tough battle against Goa, needing a win to stay in the competition. However, a goalless draw dashed their hopes of advancing, as Goa’s strong defense held firm. Despite their best efforts, Meghalaya could not find the back of the net, leading to their elimination from the tournament.