Chennai, Nov 2In an electrifying display of skill and determination, both Tamil Nadu and Manipur secured their spots in the final rounds of the 78th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy with unbeaten records.
On Tuesday, Tamil Nadu sealed a commanding 8-0 victory over Andhra Pradesh in their final Group D match at the RDT Stadium in Anantapur. Despite a strong first-half defense from the hosts, Tamil Nadu’s relentless attacking play came to life in the second half. The standout performance was from Lijo K, who scored four goals, leading the charge as Tamil Nadu sent seven more goals into the net, with contributions from Nandha Kumar Ananthraj, Henry Joseph Immanuel, and A Regan.
Meanwhile, in Agartala, Manipur cruised past Tripura 2-0, finishing the group stages with a perfect nine points from three matches. Both teams’ outstanding performances have set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling final round.
The day also saw Karnataka’s massive 11-0 win over Andaman and Nicobar, though it wasn’t enough to secure them a spot in the finals. Nikhil Raj Murugesh and Ryan Wilfred S were among the top scorers for Karnataka, but the focus remained on the champions elect—Tamil Nadu and Manipur—as they now march forward with unstoppable momentum.
With such dominant victories, Tamil Nadu and Manipur’s seamless teamwork and unyielding spirit serve as an inspiration to all—proving that when passion meets perseverance, excellence is inevitable. The final rounds are set to showcase the best of Indian football, and these two teams have shown they are ready for the challenge.
