Santosh Trophy | Services gets the better of Mizoram, enters its 12th final

The Services crew after its hard-fought semifinal win over Mizoram in the 77th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy in Yupia, Arunachal Pradesh, on March 7, 2024.
| Photo Credit: X@IndianFootball

A ten-man Services held off a late resurgence from Mizoram for a slender 2-1 win in the first semifinal of the 77th National Football Championships for the Santosh Trophy right here on Thursday.

Rahul Ramakrishnan and substitute Bikash Thapa scored one apiece in eihter half to present Services the two aim lead. Substitute Malsawmfela pulled one again for Mizoram in injury-time however did not fetch the equalizer as Services efficiently thwarted the late surge from the North-East powerhouse. The win took the six-time champion Services to its 12th final in the lengthy historical past of the event.

Services managed the proceedings from the very begin and appeared extra cohesive in its assaults and defensive organisation. Services had an opportunity in the first quarter of the motion, however Mizoram’s defence countered the offensive that noticed Vijay J. shifting near the aim.

Services lastly acquired the break in the twenty first minute when left-back Subham Rana moved up the flank to arrange Ramakrishnan with a pointy cross. The latter managed the ball properly whereas shielding his marker and completed with a left-footed drive. 

Services continued to carry robust after the break and doubled the lead in the 83rd minute when Bikash Thapa, a 74th minute substitute, pounced on a back-pass that the Mizoram goalkeeper F. Lalmuanawma failed to manage and slotted dwelling the insurance coverage aim.

Mizoram had launched Malsawmfela in the 71st minute, and the burly striker prompted issues along with his bodily play. Services misplaced defender Zothanpuia in the 88th minute when he retaliated towards a Malsawmfela physique examine and was pink carded.

Malsawmfela then discovered the web from a free-kick three minutes into added time and virtually discovered the equaliser in the final minute of play. But Shafeel P.P. saved the state of affairs for Services, clearing Malsawmfela’s header from the line.

The consequence: Semifinal: Services 2 (Rahul Ramakrishnan 21, Bikash Thapa 83) bt Mizoram 1 (Malsawmfela 90+3).