Riyadh: After five decades of waiting, Karnataka won the Santosh Trophy football title. Karnataka won their fifth Santosh Trophy title by defeating Meghalaya by three goals to two in the final held outside the country for the first time. In the final held at the King Fahd International Stadium in Saudi Arabia, Karnataka were leading by three goals to one in the first half.
Karnataka took the lead in the second minute through Sunil Kumar. But Karnataka’s happiness did not last long. Brolington equalized for Meghalaya through a penalty in the ninth minute. The penalty was awarded in favor of Meghalaya for bringing down Meghalaya’s Sheen in the penalty box.
Karnataka triumphed Meghalaya 3-2 in a riveting and historic Santosh Trophy Final at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh 🔥
Watch the highlights here 📺 🏆 ⚽ pic.twitter.com/GelrPT5kjG
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball)
But then Karnataka shook Meghalaya’s goal with continued attacks. Karnataka took the lead again in the 19th minute through Beke Oram. Just before the end of the first half, Karnataka took the lead with a free kick from 30 yards away by Robin Yadav. In the second half, Meghalaya pulled back with a goal in the 60th minute through Sheen to make the match exciting. But Meghala’s efforts for the equalizer were later effectively defended by Karnataka, and after a five-decade long wait, Karnataka won the Santhosh Trophy again.
🏆 KARNATAKA ARE CHAMPIONS AFTER 5️⃣4️⃣ YEARS 🏆
It was a close call in the end, but Karnataka get over the line in the end 🤩
ME 2⃣-3⃣ KAR
📺 & ⚔️ 🏆 💥 ⚽ pic.twitter.com/tUVsvggPBE
— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball)
It was after 47 years that Karnataka played the Santosh Trophy final. Karnataka had last reached the final before this in 1975-76. Meghalaya reached the Santhosh Trophy final for the first time by defeating Punjab by two goals to one.
Last Updated Mar 5, 2023, 12:26 PM IST
