Coach Biby leads Kerala into Santosh Trophy Final Round

Kerala cruised to a dominant 7-0 win over Pondicherry to secure a place in the final rounds of the 78th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy. The seven-time champions finished their Group H campaign with a perfect record, winning all three of their matches and collecting nine points.

Sajeesh E and Naseeb Rahman were the standout performers in the match, each scoring twice. Gani Ahmmed Nigam, Christy Davis, and Shijin T also found the back of the net, further showcasing Kerala’s attacking prowess.

Earlier, in a commanding display on November 22, 2024, Kerala had overwhelmed Lakshadweep 10-0 in their Group H qualifier at the EMS Corporation Stadium. With six points from two matches, Kerala has all but secured their spot in the final rounds.

Substitute Sajeesh E, who had scored a hat-trick in the Lakshadweep match, was again the star of the show, leading the charge with another crucial brace. He was ably supported by Muhammad Ajsal, who scored two goals, along with Gani Ahmmed Nigam, Naseeb Rahman, Arjun V, and Muhammed Musharaf, all of whom contributed to the emphatic victory.