Santosh Trophy: Rahman's Sole Strike Propels Kerala to Semi-Finals Against J&K
Hyderabad, Dec 27 (NationPress) Naseeb Rahman stepped up once more, scoring the decisive goal that secured Kerala's 1-0 triumph over Jammu and Kashmir in the quarter-finals of the 78th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy 2024-25 held at the Deccan Arena on Friday.
Rahman found the back of the net in the 73rd minute, elevating him to the joint second-highest scorer of the tournament (alongside Tamil Nadu's Lijo K), with a total of seven goals. This victory marks Kerala's advancement to the semi-finals for the 31st time, where they will face Manipur on December 29.
Kerala has displayed immense strength in this season's Santosh Trophy, entering the quarter-finals against Jammu and Kashmir as one of the unbeaten contenders. Their impressive offense has racked up a total of 29 goals, while their solid defense has only allowed four goals so far.
In light of facing such a powerful team, Jammu and Kashmir, led by former Indian defender and coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo, devised a robust defensive plan to counter Kerala's aggressive style. They effectively restricted midfield spaces, crucial for disrupting Kerala's build-up, and closely marked the wingers to thwart impactful runs down the flanks.
The first half revealed Kerala's frustration as they struggled to break through Jammu and Kashmir's well-organized defense. Even when they managed to reach the goal area, Jammu and Kashmir's goalkeeper Majid Ahmad was alert and made timely saves.
Jammu and Kashmir showcased moments of potential too. In the 27th minute, Aakif Javaid sprinted down the right flank, crossing to Talib Nazir inside the box. Despite having enough time, Nazir's shot went over the crossbar, leaving the first half scoreless.
In the second half, Kerala ramped up their intensity, applying more pressure on the Jammu and Kashmir defense. Their persistence paid off in the 73rd minute when a defensive error from Jammu and Kashmir presented them with a prime opportunity. Joseph Justin sent in a cross that was poorly cleared, allowing Rahman—who had already scored six goals in the tournament—to control the ball with his chest and fire a decisive volley past the goalkeeper, giving Kerala the lead.
Jammu and Kashmir attempted to equalize, coming close in the 88th minute when a cross from the right was deflected by Kerala goalkeeper Hajmal S.. The ball fell to Shahmeer Tariq, who quickly shot, but his attempt frustratingly sailed over the crossbar.
