Riyadh: Meghalaya and Karnataka are bristling with confidence ahead of the Santosh Trophy final at the King Fahd International Stadium here on Saturday.
The knockout rounds of the 76th National Football Championship are being played away in Saudi Arabia and whoever triumphs, history will be made on foreign soil. While Meghalaya have made it to their maiden final, Karnataka have qualified for the title round after 47 years when they lost against Bengal on penalties.
Karnataka’s last triumph came 54 years ago when they edged out Bengal at home. The state was then known as Mysore.
“Our team is well prepared for this match,” said Karnataka coach Ravi Babu. “We have some ideas on how to play against them. Meghalaya are a good team with quality players, but we have our strategy ready. Defence is a little weak, and we have to take them on the counter attack.”
Karnataka edged out favourites Services 3-1 in the semi-finals and will be confident that they can carry the form into the final. They have hand-picked players from the Bangalore Super Division League which comprises players from established clubs like Sporting Club Bengaluru, BFC reserves, Bengaluru United FC and Kickstart FC.
Much of their fortunes will revolve around the form of forward Ankith P and defender Robin Yadav, a dead-ball specialist who has scored three goals from freekicks, including the equaliser in the semis.
“The focus is entirely on winning the title,” said Robin, the former India U-19 and Bengaluru FC reserves player. “Our coach always encourages me and gives me the freedom (to move up) during free-kicks. My teammates are certain that I will score from set-pieces and it gives me added confidence because they bank on me.”
Meghalaya don’t know what it feels like to play the final, but having made it so far, they are unlikely to let the chance to create history slip through their fingers. After scripting a spectacular late victory against Punjab, they will be keen to add Karnataka to the list of teams they have slayed along the way.
“The final match is very important and special for us. Qualifying for the semi-finals was almost (like) a win. We keep on motivating the boys,” said coach Khlain Symiemlieh, happy with the underdogs tag.
The final game will be a special moment for Brolington Warlarpih, who will play his last match for Meghalaya after representing the state for 10 years.
They will also be boosted with the return of captain Fullmoon Mukhim. The 33-year-old was an unused substitute in the semis due to a calf problem but is likely to feature in the final.
“Karnataka is a very good team with experience, and they have played in the Bangalore league, one of the best in India. Maybe they will have some weakness and we can utilise that,” said Symiemlieh.
(The writer is in Riyadh on an invitation from the All India Football Federation)
The knockout rounds of the 76th National Football Championship are being played away in Saudi Arabia and whoever triumphs, history will be made on foreign soil. While Meghalaya have made it to their maiden final, Karnataka have qualified for the title round after 47 years when they lost against Bengal on penalties.
Karnataka’s last triumph came 54 years ago when they edged out Bengal at home. The state was then known as Mysore.
“Our team is well prepared for this match,” said Karnataka coach Ravi Babu. “We have some ideas on how to play against them. Meghalaya are a good team with quality players, but we have our strategy ready. Defence is a little weak, and we have to take them on the counter attack.”
Karnataka edged out favourites Services 3-1 in the semi-finals and will be confident that they can carry the form into the final. They have hand-picked players from the Bangalore Super Division League which comprises players from established clubs like Sporting Club Bengaluru, BFC reserves, Bengaluru United FC and Kickstart FC.
Much of their fortunes will revolve around the form of forward Ankith P and defender Robin Yadav, a dead-ball specialist who has scored three goals from freekicks, including the equaliser in the semis.
“The focus is entirely on winning the title,” said Robin, the former India U-19 and Bengaluru FC reserves player. “Our coach always encourages me and gives me the freedom (to move up) during free-kicks. My teammates are certain that I will score from set-pieces and it gives me added confidence because they bank on me.”
Meghalaya don’t know what it feels like to play the final, but having made it so far, they are unlikely to let the chance to create history slip through their fingers. After scripting a spectacular late victory against Punjab, they will be keen to add Karnataka to the list of teams they have slayed along the way.
“The final match is very important and special for us. Qualifying for the semi-finals was almost (like) a win. We keep on motivating the boys,” said coach Khlain Symiemlieh, happy with the underdogs tag.
The final game will be a special moment for Brolington Warlarpih, who will play his last match for Meghalaya after representing the state for 10 years.
They will also be boosted with the return of captain Fullmoon Mukhim. The 33-year-old was an unused substitute in the semis due to a calf problem but is likely to feature in the final.
“Karnataka is a very good team with experience, and they have played in the Bangalore league, one of the best in India. Maybe they will have some weakness and we can utilise that,” said Symiemlieh.
(The writer is in Riyadh on an invitation from the All India Football Federation)