The Santosh Trophy is one of the oldest and most prestigious football tournaments in India. The tournament has a rich history, having been played since 1941. This year’s tournament saw some of the most exciting matches in recent memory, culminating in a thrilling final between Karnataka and Meghalaya.
In a game that had everything, Karnataka emerged victorious, beating Meghalaya 3-2. The win was historic for Karnataka, as they won the trophy after a gap of 54 years, having previously won four times as the princely state of Mysore.
Let’s take a closer look at the winners of the 2023 Santosh Trophy and how they clinched the title
The Road to the Final
The Santosh Trophy is a knockout tournament, with teams from different Indian states competing against each other. Karnataka was drawn in Group B alongside Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir. They won both their group matches, beating Punjab 2-0 and Jammu & Kashmir 1-0.
In the quarterfinals, Karnataka faced Manipur and won 3-1 to progress to the semifinals. In the semifinals, they faced Services, the defending champions, and won 2-0 to reach the final.
The Final
In the final, Karnataka faced Meghalaya, who had beaten Kerala in the semifinals. The match was played at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and was attended by a couple of thousand Indian expatriates.
Karnataka took the lead in the second minute, thanks to a long throw from Robin Yadav that opened up a chance for Sunil Kumar. Sunil fired an angular half-volley that deflected off a Meghalaya defender’s leg and found the net. However, Meghalaya won a penalty in the eighth minute and equalized through Brolington Warlarphi.
Karnataka regained the lead in the 19th minute when Sunil Kumar set up Bekey Oram, who made no mistake with his finishing. Robin Yadav extended the lead just before halftime, sending home a delectable free-kick taken from just outside the box. Meghalaya pulled one back at the hour-mark through Sheen Sohktung’s sensational right-footed curler from the left side of the box into the top right corner. However, Karnataka’s resilience stood the test of time, and they secured the historic win.
The Celebrations
Karnataka’s win brought out wild celebrations, with fans and players alike overjoyed at the historic win. The win was a testament to the team’s hard work and determination, and they will be remembered for years to come.
The 2023 Santosh Trophy was a memorable tournament, with some of the best footballing action seen in India in recent years. Karnataka emerged as worthy winners, having beaten some tough opponents on their way to the title. The win was historic for the team, and they will forever be remembered as the winners of the 76th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy!
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