Action from the Santosh Trophy match between Kerala and Chandigarh. Photo: Pratheesh G NairKolkata: Kerala registered a thumping 5-1 win over Chandigarh on the opening day of the national football championship for the 72nd Santosh Trophy, here on Monday.
Jithin MS struck a brace (11th and 51st) and assisted in two other goals as five-time champions Kerala toyed Chandigarh's defence at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium.
Sajith Poulose struck in the 18th minute, while the other two goals for Kerala were scored by Afdal V K (49th) and substitute Sreekuttan V S (77th).
Vishal Sharma (88th) was the lone scorer for Chandigarh.
Starting with 4-4-2 formation, the southern outfit broke the deadlock when Seesan S sent a through ball for right winger Jithin. The U-21 player received the ball at the edge of the box and found the back of the net comfortably.
Poulose found the back of the net from Jithin's low cross from the right flank to double their lead.
Hungry for more goals, Kerala utilised their wings brilliantly with Jithin leading the side's attack and piled on Chandigarh's misery in the second half.
Brought in the 65th minute in place of Jithin, Sreekuttan hammered the final nail in Chandigarh's coffin when his shot hit the far post and went in.
Kerala and Chandigarh belong to Group A consisting of defending champions West Bengal and Manipur.
In the other match, Bengal blanked Manipur 3-0 .
Kerala will next lock horns against Manipur on March 23.
