Services hold Maharashtra to qualify for final rounds of Santosh Trophy

After taking an early lead, Maharashtra failed to maintain the scoreline and ended on equal terms against Services at the end of the day.

On their fourth outing against the defending champions Services, Maharashtra had a dream start to the match. 10 minutes onto the game, Maharashtra received a free-kick outside the box. An effort from Dion Menezes deflected slightly by the opposition defense found the net giving Maharashtra the lead.

Services put immense pressure ever since they conceded. Failing to cope with the pressure, Nachiket Palav was penalized for a rough tackle on an attacker. However, the defense stood robust and the half time score read in favor of Maharashtra. They led by a solitary goal when the first half ended.

Nothing changed in the second half as Services kept on maintaining the pressure. Soon as the second half commenced, within three minutes, Nikhil Prabhu picked up a yellow. Niyaj Ahmed Patel followed the list as his rough tackle got him booked.

Maharashtra launched a brilliant attack at the 66th minute when Advait Shinde’s through ball found Pragnesh. Pragnesh made a solo run but his feeble attempt on goal failed trouble the keeper. Within the next two minutes Services earned a penalty, An excellent corner saw an attacker keep the ball on target which was deflected by Dhurvesh’s hand.

Star striker, Lallawmkima PC, made no mistake and put the ball back into the net. After the equalizer, in a sudden melee, Maharashtra coach received a yellow and Services manager received a direct red card. Apparently both of them misbehaved with the management and the opposition players. In the end despite best efforts from the Maharashtra the game ended in a 1-1 draw. With this result, Services qualified for the final round of the tournament on the basis of better goal differences.

The final whistle of the match concluded Maharashtra’s qualification hopes. Services qualified from Group A of the West Zone Qualifiers of the Santosh Trophy.

Early in the morning encounter, Lakshadweep came out on top by defeating Daman & Diu 3-1 to get out of the bottom spot in the group table. Faizal dribbled past two players before slotting home the opener in the 14th minute to put Lakshadweep on lead. In the 40th minute, Raj Bhoir header off a Brandon Picardo corner kick pulled things back on level terms for Daman.

In the second half, Lakshadweep came out strong winning a penalty around the hour mark which Sahad TI made no mistake in converting to put his side on lead. Daman tried their best to comeback but late in the game, in an counter-attacking move Abdul Nazar doubled the lead for the Lakshadweep to put the game to bed.

Result:

Services (Lallawmkima PC 69′ (P)) 1 – 1 Maharashtra (Dion Menezes 10′)

Lakshadweep (Faizal 14′, Sahad TI 20′ (P), Abdul Nazar 88′) 3 – 1 Daman & Diu (Raj Bhoir 40′)

For Fixtures and League table of Santosh Trophy (West Zone Qualifiers): Click here

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