Kokrajhar, January 5 (MTNews): Nagaland needed a win against Arunachal Pradesh to secure a spot in the main stage of the Santosh Trophy but it was not to be. Victor Thomsong’s score in the 70th minute was insufficient to ensure Nagaland’s qualification to the final round of the Santosh Trophy as Arunachal Pradesh’s Taba Heli found the equalizer just 7 minutes later.

 

After winning by three goals to none against Tamil Nadu, Goa topped the group by goal differential against Nagaland, although both teams were level on points, allowing Goa to automatically advance to the final round from Group 3.

 

Nagaland team photo ahead of their match against Arunachal Pradesh

 

This means that Nagaland will have to wait for the completion of Group leagues as it sits in the second position of Group 3.

 

 

In the Santosh Trophy, the qualifiers or Group leagues are contested by 35 teams representing the states and the union territories of India. The teams were drawn into six groups, for a chance to make it to the main round. The six group toppers, along with three best second-placed teams will qualify for the Final Rounds. Railways and Services will get direct entry along with the hosts.

 

In the Final Round, the teams are divided into two Groups of six teams each. The top two teams from each Group qualify for the semi-finals and the winners contest in the final for the silverware.

 

As of today, Delhi, Goa and Meghalaya have already qualified for the Final Round after winning the Group 1, Group 3 and Group 5 respectively. The group leagues for Group 2, Group 4 and Group 6 will culminate on January 8, January 15 and January 31 respectively.

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