Ajsal's brilliant first-half strike helps Kerala beat formidable Meghalaya 1-0
Seven-time champions Kerala edged Goa 4-3 in their opener.
Seven-time champions Kerala edged Goa 4-3 in their opener.
Seven-time champions Kerala edged Goa 4-3 in their opener.
Muhammad Ajsal scored the solitary goal as Kerala survived a barrage of attacks from Meghalaya to post a 1-0 win in their second match of the final round of Santosh Trophy at the Deccan Arena in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
Kerala, managed by Biby Thomas, had won their opening game 4-3 against Goa. But Meghalaya posed a very different challenge, as they dominated the majority of the match, forcing Kerala to defend for dear life, especially in the final 15 minutes. It was Ajsal's brilliant left-footed strike in the 37th minute that proved the difference.
Meghalaya came close to equalising in the 58th minute when Lyngkhoi nearly turned in a freekick from the deep. The defender also saw his header bounce off the bar from a wide freekick a little later. Overkindness L Mawnai fired on target with a left-foot drive, forcing Hajmal S to make a diving save.
Kerala attackers could not find a decent chance in the second half. However, the Kerala defence marshalled by captain Sanju G, was forced to work hard by a resilient Meghalaya. Kerala had a few nervous moments in the 88th minute when a missed clearance from defender Manoj looped goalward before Hajmal tipped it over.
Earlier, Meghalaya made Kerala fight for every ball as both sides struggled to take a shot on target in the first 30 minutes. Just when it seemed like the game was heading into half-time goalless, Ajsal produced a stunner.
The striker wriggled out of a press and fired away from the edge of the box, giving Siwel Rymbai in the Meghayala goal no chance. Ajsal had been Kerala's best attacker in the first-half. In the 31st minute, Ajsal forced the first save of the match as he brushed aside Arlangky Nongsiej to dash to the goal before shooting from outside the box.
Meghalaya pushed men forward since going behind and earned two corners, but they could not capitalise. Kerala goalkeeper Hajmal was forced to punch clear a tempting freekick in injury time. Meghalaya had held Tamil Nadu to a 2-2 draw in their opener. Kerala entered the final round in style, scoring 18 goals and conceding none in the Group H qualifiers. Kerala next play Odisha on December 19, with the match set to kick-off at 9 am.