Karnataka, Goa keep semis hopes alive

Sanath Kumar and Dada Nabeel found the net as Karnataka drew curtains to Maharashtra's semi-final hopes, beating them 2-0, while Goa got the better of Services by a solitary goal in league matches of the 63rd Santosh Trophy National Football Championship in Chennai on Friday.

Striker Sanath gave Karnataka the lead in the 25th minute, before Nabeel doubled the score in the 67th minute to put Maharashtra out of semi-final contention.

Goa, on the other hand, huffed and puffed before Climax Lawrence scored the winning goal in the 56th minute to keep alive their chances of making the semi-finals.

With four points, Karnataka, who drew their first match against Goa, are in the hunt for a last four berth.

Maharashtra lost both the league matches they played and even a win in the final match against Goa on Sunday cannot give them a place in the semi-finals.

They had earlier lost to Services 0-1 in their opening league encounter.