Kerala crush Assam 3-0 to storm into semifinals of 79th Santosh Trophy

Kerala entered the semifinals of the 79th Santosh Trophy with a 3-0 win over hosts Assam at the Silapathar Football Stadium on Tuesday.

Seven-time champions Kerala will take on Punjab in the first semifinal on February 5. The same day, Railways will take on Services, who knocked out holders West Bengal, with Malayali goalkeeper Muhammed Shanoos PP starring in the shootout. 

Manoj M, who captained Kerala with Sanju G starting on the bench, opened the scoring in the 17th minute, while striker Muhammad Ajsal made it 2-0 in the 45th minute.

Substitute Aboobacker Dilshad completed the rout on 90+2 minutes from a counterattack. Fellow substitute Sajeesh E provided the assist with a timely cut back.

Shafeeq Hassan's Kerala showed smart game management in the final quarter, by soaking up the pressure, while keeping the counter open. They were also fortunate with a few mishits.

Assam applied serious pressure at the start of the match, with Pranjal Bhumij coming close to scoring in the 3rd minute. Goalkeeper Hajmal's reflexes kept out the Assamese winger at the near post.

Kerala took a few minutes to grow into the game, but once they did, a clear pattern of play emerged. Kerala players used their physicality to win duels. The attackers stayed compact, with Ajsal dropping down to apply pressure on the Assam defence.

Midfielders Arjun V and Arjun M M were impressive, the latter winning loose balls and the other threading through balls and connecting with the attackers.

Arjun V swung in a tempting cross from a corner to break the deadlock. Ajsal's glancing header at the near post was goal-bound, but Manoj made sure to tap it home for the opener.

Kerala used the width to their advantage, with defenders overlapping with the wingers to keep Assam pinned to their half. Bibin Ajayan was often found in space on the right flank, swinging in crosses. Viknesh M was a menace on the left, cutting inside to make space for versatile full-back Sandeep S.

It was the combination on the left that resulted in the second goal. Arjun V, Viknesh and Sandeep formed a triangle on the left, leaving the Assamese defenders chasing shadows. Arjun released Sandeep, who played a teasing low cross into the box, which was attacked by Ajsal. The Kerala Blasters striker showed his poaching skills by stepping in front of the marker at the right time to score.