Kochi: In the ongoing State Senior Football Championship at the Ernakulam Maharaja’s College Ground, both Kannur and Alappuzha secured victories. In the morning’s pre-quarter final match, Kannur defeated Palakkad with a decisive score of 2-0.
In the 26th minute, P.K. Akash scored to give Kannur the lead. In the second half, captain M.V. Srivishnu secured the win with another goal. In the afternoon match, Alappuzha defeated the hosts Ernakulam in a penalty shootout (3-2) after the game ended in a 1-1 draw at regular time.
K.P. Atheendran (20) scored for Alappuzha, while Ernakulam’s captain Calvin Thomas (82) found the net. During the shootout, Ernakulam’s goalkeeper Parthiv K.M. saved three shots. Alappuzha’s Shibin P., Abu Anfal Ameen, and Shalbin Benny all converted their penalties. Only Fahadh Aliyar and Abdulla K.S. scored for the hosts.
With these wins, Kannur and Alappuzha progressed to the quarter-finals. Today’s match between the two teams is scheduled for 3:45 PM. This morning at 7:30 AM, the current runners-up, Thiruvananthapuram, will face Idukki in the third quarter-final. The winners will compete against the victors of the Alappuzha-Kannur match in the semi-finals. The first semi-final between Kottayam and Thrissur will take place on the 19th at 3:45 PM, with the final match scheduled for the 21st.