- NARAINPUR
(CHHATTISGARH) — Meghalaya booked their spot in the semifinals of the Swami
Vivekananda U20 Men’s National Football Championship 2025 after they edged
Karnataka 1-0 at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground on Friday.
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- A goal by striker Ricky Kharkongor (4’) in the fourth minute
of the match clinched the issue in favour of Meghalaya. The Karnataka tried
hard to make a comeback and created a few chances, especially in the second
half. But the Meghalaya defence stood firm, denying their rivals any room.
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- Meghalaya, who made the quarter-finals on an impressive
note, winning all three matches in Group A, found the going tough against
Karnataka after an early strike. A cross from the left that landed in the
Karnataka box was deftly pushed in from close by Kharkongor despite the
presence of a couple of markers around him.
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-
- Thereafter, Karnataka made several moves throughout the
encounter and came near scoring on a few occasions. But somehow, the equaliser
remained elusive.
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- Meghalaya will play the winners of the quarter-final clash
between the Group C and the Group D champions, in their semi-final. The matches
in Group C and D will begin on May 11, and May 12, respectively.
-
- Earlier, Karnataka finished as Group B toppers with a
perfect 12 points from four matches, with Gujarat on nine, Tamil Nadu on six,
Chhattisgarh on three, and Andaman & Nicobar on zero points.
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- Karnataka finished off their perfect campaign in Group B
with a massive 10-0 victory against Andaman & Nicobar, their fourth win
in as many matches.
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- On the other hand, Meghalaya ended their Group A campaign
with a 7-0 victory against Bihar to remain unbeaten and maintain their top spot
with nine points.
