Kolkata, March 23 (IANS) Chandigarh’s semi-final hopes ended after a 1-2 loss to Maharashtra while Kerala continued their rampaging run with a 6-0 rout of Manipur in Group A matches of the 72nd national championship for Santosh Trophy here on Friday.

Kerala, courtesy the result, pipped Group A leaders and hosts Bengal to pole position owing to better goal difference.

Both teams have six points after two games. Chandigarh, on the other hand, are now rock-bottom in the group with a draw in their last outing against Manipur.

At the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, goals from Shubham Khanvilkar in the 5th minute and Dion Menezes in the 9th minute saw Maharashtra take the lead early on.

Vishal Sharma’s 88th minute strike provided a consolation goal for Chandigarh.

With the win, Maharashtra registered their first points on the board and next play Kerala on Sunday. Chandigarh, with only one point from three outings, next play Bengal on the same day.

Meanwhile, at the Sailen Manna Sports Complex in Howrah, after a barren first half, substitute Afdal VK gave Kerala the lead in the 47th minute before goals from Rahul KP (59th), Jithin Gopalan (62nd and 84th), Jithin MS (71st) and an own goal by Roshan Singh (90+4th) helped them thrash Manipur 6-0 and seal full points.

Kerala will now take on Maharashtra on Sunday at the Howrah Stadium while Manipur will face the same opponents on Tuesday.

–IANS
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