Meghalaya on course to create history, Karnataka in search of first Santosh Trophy in 54 years
Meghalaya will look to clinch their maiden title when they take on Karnataka in the final of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy here on Saturday, while the rivals will look to lift the trophy for the first time in 54 years. It would be historic if the tiny northeastern state lifts the trophy, while Karnataka would have a chance to end such a long wait.
Meghalaya came back from a one-goal deficit in their first semi-final to beat former champions Punjab to make it to the final for the first time. Karnataka last won the Santosh Trophy in the 1968–69 season when it was called Mysore. Karnataka finished runners-up in the 1975–76 final, losing to Bengal. This was their last title clash before the current edition.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) is hosting the Santosh Trophy semi-finals, final and third-place match. It is difficult to predict who will become the champion in the finals. Former champions Punjab and Army were favorites to play in the final but Meghalaya and Karnataka pulled off an upset by defeating their stronger rivals.
