Bhubaneswar: The defending champions Kerala are out after a draw with Punjab in the crucial match of the Santosh Trophy. With this, Punjab entered the semi-finals with 11 points as group champions. In yesterday’s match, Karnataka reached the semi-finals as the second-placed team with 9 points after drawing 2-2 with Odisha. The semi-final matches will be held on March 1 and the final on March 4 in Saudi Arabia.

Visakh Mohanan scored for Kerala and Kamaldeep Shaikh scored for Punjab. Despite playing hard for victory, Kerala could not take the lead. Injuries and lack of experience were the main factors that caused Kerala to lose in the Santosh Trophy football final round. Kerala came to Odisha to play with 16 new faces.

Kerala played aggressively at the beginning of the match. Kerala advanced through excellent passing and shook Punjab’s net in the 24th minute itself. Visakh received Abdul Rahim’s pass and put the ball into the net without giving the goalkeeper any chance. (Score 1-0).

In the 27th minute, goal keeper Mithun saved a shot that would have been Punjab’s goal. But soon Punjab hit back. Punjab’s equalizer came in the 34th minute through Rohit Sheikh. (Score (1-1). Both goals were scored in the first half.

In the second half, the Kerala players attacked for a goal of winning and created several goal opportunities, but Kerala players could not score the winning goal. Kerala’s Nijo Gilbert had a golden opportunity in the 87th minute but Nijo’s shot was brilliantly saved by the Punjab goalkeeper to end Kerala’s semi hopes.

In the first round held in Kozhikode, Kerala secured the final round by winning all 5 games as the group winners. They scored 24 goals and conceded only two. But after reaching Bhubaneswar, the game changed. Forward John Paul Jose, midfielder Gifty Gayesh, defenders G. Sanju and Sachu Siby have been sidelined with injuries. Kerala was also unable to find suitable replacements for them. Due to this, Kerala could not perform well in Bhubaneswar.