Kannan's double takes Kerala into Santosh Trophy semis crushing Maharashtra 3-1


CHENNAI: Riding on Kannan’s double Kerala stormed into the semifinals of Santosh Trophy 2012, for the first time since 2006, crushing Maharashtra 3-1 on Tuesday.


Drawing their previous league match with the holders West Bengal, Kerala found themselves in a must win situation against Maha boys.


Maharashtra took the lead early into the match with a spot kick dampening the mood in Kerala camp, who saw a good chance this year with champions Bengal crashing out.


Kerala’s wing back Surjith V.V. scored the equaliser 35 mins into the match.


Kannan then scored twice late into the second half to book his team’s semi berth.


In the Group B decider at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhuwaneshwar, Manipur played a 2-2 draw with Goa and advanced to the semifinal piping Goa on better goal difference. Both teams finished on 7 points from 3 matches but Manipur by virtue of better goal difference (+7) in comparison to Goa’s (+3).


For Manipur, Thoi Singh scored the first goal in the 19th minute which was neutralized by Gabriel Fernandes in the 26th minute. Prathesh Shirodkar put Goa in the lead in the 45th minute but Govin Singh restored parity for Manipur in the 70th minute.

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