How Did Ricky Kharkongor Propel Meghalaya into the Semifinals of the Swami Vivekananda Men’s U20 NFC?
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Synopsis
Meghalaya's triumph over Karnataka in the Swami Vivekananda U20 Men’s National Football Championship 2025 has set the stage for an exciting semifinal. A crucial early goal by Ricky Kharkongor proved decisive, ensuring a hard-fought victory. Can Meghalaya maintain their unbeaten record as they look ahead to the next challenge?
Key Takeaways
- Meghalaya secured a place in the semifinals with a 1-0 win.
- Ricky Kharkongor's early goal was decisive in the match.
- Karnataka's attempts to equalize were thwarted by a strong Meghalaya defense.
- The semifinals will feature the winners from Groups C and D.
- Both teams showcased impressive performances throughout the tournament.
Narainpur (Chhattisgarh), May 9 (NationPress) Meghalaya secured their place in the semifinals of the Swami Vivekananda U20 Men’s National Football Championship 2025 with a narrow 1-0 victory over Karnataka at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground on Friday.
A decisive goal from striker Ricky Kharkongor in the fourth minute of the match proved crucial for Meghalaya. Although Karnataka fought hard and generated a few scoring opportunities, particularly in the second half, the solid Meghalaya defense kept their opponents at bay.
Despite previously dominating Group A with three straight wins, Meghalaya faced a challenging match against Karnataka after Kharkongor's early strike. He skillfully converted a cross from the left side, pushing it into the net despite being tightly marked.
Throughout the match, Karnataka attempted multiple strategies to equalize but ultimately failed to find the back of the net.
In the semifinals, Meghalaya will face the winners of the quarter-final match between the champions of Group C and Group D, with those matches scheduled to commence on May 11 and May 12.
Earlier, Karnataka topped Group B with an unbeaten record, accumulating a perfect 12 points from four matches, while Gujarat followed with nine, Tamil Nadu with six, Chhattisgarh with three, and Andaman & Nicobar at the bottom with zero points.
Karnataka completed their Group B campaign with a commanding 10-0 win against Andaman & Nicobar, marking their fourth consecutive victory.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya wrapped up their Group A journey with a resounding 7-0 victory over Bihar, ensuring they remained unbeaten and secured the top spot with nine points.
Point of View
I believe that Meghalaya's victory not only highlights their prowess on the field but also showcases the potential of youth football in India. Their solid performance against Karnataka reflects a growing competitive spirit in the sport. This matches the trend of rising talent across the country, and we can only expect more exciting developments as the tournament progresses.
NationPress
21/05/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the match between Meghalaya and Karnataka?
The final score was 1-0 in favor of Meghalaya.
Who scored the winning goal for Meghalaya?
The winning goal was scored by Ricky Kharkongor in the fourth minute.
When will the semifinals take place?
The semifinals will be held after the quarter-final matches on May 11 and May 12.
How did Karnataka perform in their group?
Karnataka topped Group B with a perfect record, earning 12 points from four matches.
What was Meghalaya's record in the group stage?
Meghalaya finished the group stage unbeaten with nine points.
