Karnataka stormed into the semifinals of the Santosh Trophy National Football Championships after it crushed Gujarat 4-0 in the last league match at the Payyanad stadium here on Monday.
Karntaka, which needed to beat Gujarat by a three goal margin to sneak ahead of Odisha on goal difference, did in style. Sudheer Kotikela struck a brace (12, 29) while P. Kamalesh (28) and Magesh Selva (60) scored the goals for Karnataka. Karnataka had a feisty start and pumped in three goals within the first 30 minutes to seal the contest.
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In a lively first half, striker Sudheer with a quality finish in the 12th minute opened scoring while P.Kamalesh increased the lead in the 28th minute with a right footed volley from top of the box. A minute later Sudheer tapped in a fine cross from right to score his second goal. Magesh Selva completed the tally with another clinical finish in the 60th minute.
Earlier, defending champion Services did Karnataka a huge favour by ending Odisha's semifinal hopes with a 2-0 win at the Kottappadi stadium.
Odisha, which needed only a draw to qualify, paid the price for complacency as the defending champion pumped in two late goals to end its campaign on a winning note. Vivek Kumar (74) and Nikhil Sharma (82) scored the goals for Services.
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Odisha wasted chances in the first half which it dominated. However, Services asserted itself more in the second half. Sunil Kumar hoisted a pass into the Odisha penalty box and it was converted by Services captain Vivek Kumar.
Sunil Kumar again had a hand in the the second goal. The defender after moving up through the left flank took a first time shot at the Services goal. However, the ball ricocheted off a Odisha defender's body and came to an unmarked Nikhil Sharma who scored.
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