Santosh Trophy: Karnataka, Mizoram join Bengal and Kerala in semi-final

Karnataka defeated Mizoram to enter the semi-final where they will take on defending champions Bengal while Mizoram will play Kerala in the other clash in the Santosh Trophy.

Karnataka set up a semi-final date with defending champions Bengal beating Mizoram 1-0 in the National Football Championship for the 72nd Santosh Trophy.

Karnataka defeated Mizoram 1-0 to set-up semi-final clash with defending champions Bengal in the Santosh Trophy. (HT Photo)

The win helped Karnataka go past Mizoram and top group B on head-to-head as both the teams sealed their last four berth.

In the semi-finals slated for March 30, Mizoram will face group A toppers Kerala at the Mohun Bagan ground, while Karnataka will lock horns with hosts Bengal at the Howrah Maidan.

Having already sealed a semi-final berth, Mizoram rung in nine changes to test their bench against Karnataka.

Defenders Buanga and Zomuana were only players, retained from their 2-1 win over Punjab.

Both the teams had their chances and it was only in the 74th minute Rajesh S scored the winner from from a goalmouth melee.

Karnataka’s win also dashed hopes of a resurgent Goa, which signed off with a 4-1 win over Punjab at the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium.

Mackroy Peixoto (25th) scored from the spot while Victorino Fernandes doubled the lead four minutes later.