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The Times of India
The Times of India
Sport
Rayson Tennyson | TNN

Kerala extend their winning streak

KOCHI: Kerala continued their excellent run in the qualifiers of the 76th Santosh Trophy National Football Championship defeating Jammu and Kashmir 3-0 in the penultimate group match at EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode on Thursday. After a goalless first half, Kerala pumped in three goals in the second to seal the win. Viknesh M (51), Rizwanb Ali (76) and Nijo Gilbert (90+3rd) found the target for the defending champions.

With this win, Kerala are back on top in the group with 12 points and a massive +19 goal difference. Mizoram also on 12 points but are in second place as their goal difference is only +13. The final match in the group on Sunday between Kerala and Mizoram eventually becomes a knockout. Mizoram need to defeat Kerala to qualify while the hosts need only a draw to advance to the main stage of the tournament.

Despite dominating the entire first half, Kerala failed to find a goal. Kerala's initial plans seemed like attacking the Kashmir box along the right wing through Hrishi Dhath and along the centre through Ajeesh P. But Kashmir were quick to counter these moves as they defended deep as a unit.

The stubborn defending from J&K forced Kerala coach PB Ramesh to make an early substitution as Vishak Mohanan replaced striker Naresh Bhagyanathan in the 42nd minute.

Viknesh finally broke the deadlock in the 51st minute. Nijo Gilbert gave an aerial pass towards Vignesh in the J&K box and the latter, after dribbling past a Jammu defender, took a shot from a difficult angle but managed to find the target to put the hosts ahead.

After conceding, Jammu Kashmir started to attack Kerala's half but found little luck in breaching Kerala's defence. In the 64th minute, they came close to scoring the equaliser as Mohammed Inam's shot rebounded off the crossbar.

Kerala doubled their lead in the 76th minute through Rizwan Ali. Vishak Mohanan, who shifted his position as a second striker, gave a back pass from the edge of the Kashmir box to Rizwan. The Kerala midfielder had to just deflect the ball into goal which he did without any mistake to double the lead.

Nijo Gilbert, who has been Kerala's key man in attack, completed the hosts' goal tally as he scored in the third minute of the second half added-on time.

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