West Bengal and Karnataka entered semi-finals of Santosh trophy

Srinagar, Jun 10 (UNI) Runners up of the last edition, West Bengal and Karnataka today entered the semi-finals of the 62nd National Football championship for the Santosh Trophy.

Karnataka defeated Goa 1-0 while Bengal shared points with Maharashtra in a 1-1 draw in their last quarter-final league match of 'Group-B' at Bakshi stadium here today.

Karnataka won two quarter-final matches to top the group with six points, followed by West Bengal who got five points and Goa four points while Maharashtra one of their quarter-final league matches.

Maharashtra striker Soccor Velho goal his team the lead in the 42nd minute.

Earlier, Kailash Mhadev Patil of Maharashtra missed the target after West Bengal defenders foiled his attempt.

Leading in the first half, Maharashtra got several chances to score in the second half, however, West Bengal team dominated them in the second half.

It was West Bengal skipper Jayanta Sen who levelled the score in 13th minute of the second half.

In the second encounter, Karnataka outplayed Goa 1-0.

Both teams went full steam from the word go and created several scoring chances. However, they failed to draw first blood due to poor finishing.

After a goalless first half, Vijaya scored the all important goal for Karnataka when he put the ball into net beating the rival goalkeeper, who had otherwise made a number of saves.

Ten minutes later, Vijaya again made a brilliant try from the top of the box, but the ball rebounded after hiting the post.

Goa went all out after conceeding the goal, but failed to find the equaliser.

Gumpe Rine in the Karnataka goal made two brillant saves.

In the first semi-final Services will clash with West Bengal on June 12 while Karnatka will meet Punjab on June 13 for the second semifinal of the Championship.

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