Jesuraj's wonder strike for TN in vain as Nijo steals late equaliser for Kerala | Watch goals

Substitute Nijo Gilbert scored a late equaliser (89th minute) after Romario Jesuraj's wonder goal (25th minute) for Tamil Nadu in a Santosh Trophy final-round match at the Deccan Arena in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Christy Davis nearly scored an injury-time winner, but Muthu Raja produced a brilliant save to keep the scoreline 1-1.

Mohanraj Nallappan's Tamil Nadu needed a win to qualify for the quarterfinals, but the draw ruined their chances. Kerala had already qualified with four wins in four, having beaten Goa (4-3), Meghalaya (1-0), Odisha (2-0), and Delhi (3-0).

Coach Biby Thomas made five changes to his Kerala side, benching star players Muhammad Ajsal, Naseeb Rahman, Nijo Gilbert, Manoj M, and goalkeeper Hajmal. Gani Ahmed Nigam was rested again. Kerala remained the stronger side despite the changes, but an individual brilliance from Tamil Nadu resulted in the first goal.

Captain Jesuraj scored a brilliant solo goal as he curled in the opener with his left foot after cutting in from the right. At least three Kerala players closed in on Jesuraj, hoping to prevent him from having an attempt. But attacker displayed great technique to find the top right corner, leaving goalkeeper Mohammed Azhar no chance of stopping. Muhammad Aslam hit the crossbar from a corner early in the second half as Kerala came close.

After the hour, coach Biby introduced two of his star players, Nijo and Naseeb, and it was the former who made the difference. The winger, who assisted all three of Kerala's goals against Delhi in the last match, made a timely run at the far post to turn in a cross.