Hosts Kerala will have to wait to book a place in the semifinals of the 75th Santosh Trophy national football championship after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Meghalaya in their Group A encounter at the Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri on Wednesday.
Kerala could have advanced to the last four with a third win on the trot, but goals from Mohammed Safnad (17) and Mohammed Saheef (58) were cancelled out by strikes from Meghalaya's Kynsaibor Lhuid (40) and Figo Syndai (55).
The drawn Group A encounter was a thoroughly entertaining one and it was the trickery of Nijo Gilbert that created the first breakthrough. Nijo fired in a pinpoint cross after some good work on the right wing and Safnad did the rest to give Kerala an early lead.
The hosts thought they doubled their lead in the 28th minute, but Viknesh had strayed offside before putting the ball in the back of the net.
Meghalaya began asserting their dominance as the half progressed and made things even in the 40th minute when Lhuid headed in a cross from Atlanson Kharmaw.
The second half began frantically with Kerala almost scoring after kick-off as Jesin TK won a penalty in the 49th minute. However, Kerala captain Jijo Joseph failed to capitalise sending his spot kick over the goal.
Instead, it was Meghalaya who silenced the Malappuram crowd as Figo headed in from a corner to give the northeastern visitors the lead. Kerala’s response was also instant as Arjun Jayaraj's free-kick was turned in by Saheef – Meghalaya’s lead lasting just two minutes.
Kerala could have won it at the end, but Meghalaya goalkeeper Frolicson Dkhar rescued a point for his team by denying Shighil the winner in the 90th minute.
Rajasthan bow out with third loss
In the other Group A fixture, Punjab thrashed Rajasthan 4-0 at the Kottappadi Stadium, Malappuram ending the latter’s chances of progressing to the last four.
Amanpreet Singh opened Punjab’s account in the 38th minute before Paramjit Singh doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute. Tarun Slathia came off the bench to score in the 70th and 81st minutes to seal Punjab's maiden win of the tournament.
Punjab had lost 0-1 to West Bengal in the tournament opener on Sunday while Rajasthan are yet to open their account after defeats to Kerala and Meghalaya in their earlier fixtures.
