Karnataka battle hard to claim 2-0 win
Substitute forward Amoes came off the bench to seal three points by dispatching a beautifully weighted N. Solaimalai cross.
Bengaluru: Karnataka made a mountain out of a molehill in the Santosh Trophy South Zone Group A qualifier over Pondicherry, failing to put away numerous chances before emerging 2-0 winners here at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Friday.
After a goalless first half which saw Pondicherry frustrate the hosts, Karnataka managed to circumvent the bus-parking tactics of the opposition through U-21 defender Shahabaaz Khan. The left-back forayed forward and has his shot blocked by goalkeeper P. Divakar, before nestling the back of the net on the rebound. Karnataka went 1-0 up just past the hour mark.
Substitute forward Amoes came off the bench to seal three points by dispatching a beautifully weighted N. Solaimalai cross. Karnataka are now joint-top of the table on goal difference with six points from two games, and will take on Services in the remaining fixture that will decide the Group A qualifier.
Also on the day, Services left it late to grab a positive result against Telangana, with defender Laishram Herojit Singh finding an 89th-minute winner to wrap the match up 2-1.