the goan I network
panaji
Goa will take on Punjab in the semi-finals of the coveted Santosh Trophy in Ludhiana on Friday evening. Goa, who finished second in Group A, had thrashed Punjab 4-1 in the annual national football championship last season and will hold a psychological edge over their
rivals.
In Group B, Punjab scored a 4-3 win against Karnataka on Wednesday to emerge group winners with 9 points, while Karnataka (7 points) pipped Maharashtra, who thrashed Sikkim 5-0 on the final day of group phase, to make it to the last-four stage. Services will meet Karnataka in the other semi-finals.
While Goa failed to reach the semi-finals in the disappointing last season under coach Armando Colaco’s guidance, this time around the state team has given a better account of themselves by putting up a consistent performance in the Group A stage after a tough 1-1 opening draw against eventual group-winners Services.
Thereafter, Goa beat Delhi 4-2; and scored an identical 2-1 win against Odisha and Meghalaya. Goa ended up with 10 points same as Services, who had a higher goal-difference and sealed the top position in the group.
