Kerala ended Arunachal Pradesh’s hopes of making it to the knockout stage of Santosh Trophy 2023-24, handing them a 2-0 defeat at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, on Wednesday. Forward Muhammed Ashiq S and substitute Arjun V netted one in each half to win the match for Kerala.
The 2021-22 Santosh Trophy champions thus gave a major boost to their chances of making it to the knockout stages; they now have seven points from four matches.
Arunachal, on the other hand, have just one point from their four matches, with their hopes of making it into the top four positions in Group A going up in flames.
Needing nothing short of a win to keep their chances alive, Arunachal Pradesh began the game with great gusto. Olik Tayeng, on the counter, played a defence-splitting pass to Rahul Singpho, who went through on goal. However, much to the disappointment of the local fans in the stands, the shot went agonisingly wide.
