Karnataka crowned Santosh Trophy champions after 54 years

 

Riyadh: Karnataka were on Saturday crowned champions of the Santosh Trophy after a gap of 54 years with Robin Yadav’s stunning first-half free-kick being the highlight of their dominating 3-2 win over Meghalaya in the summit clash here.

M Sunil Kumar (third minute), Bekey Oram (20th) and Robin Yadav (44th) scored for Karanatka while Meghalaya found the target through Brolington Warlarpih (eighth) and Sheen Sohktung (60th) at the King Fahd International Stadium.

This was Karnataka’s first title after 1968-69 and fifth overall, counting their four earlier triumphs as Mysore, their previous name before 1973. They had last finished runners-up in 1975-76.