Defending Champions Services take centre stage as Group B kicks off in the 75th Hero Santosh Trophy

As the action in Group B of the Hero 75th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy is slated to get underway on Sunday, defending Santosh Trophy Champions Services will step out to defend their crown in their Group B opener against Manipur, while Odisha take on Karnataka earlier on the same day. Gujarat rounds up the list of five teams in Group B.
All eyes will be on Services as they take centre stage in their encounter against Manipur at the Payyanad Sports Complex in Manjeri at 8 PM IST. Speaking in the pre match press conference, Services Head Coach Priya Darshan urged his team on to put their best foot forward in their opening match. He said, “We are excited to be a part of the 75th edition of this prestigious competition. Our opening fixture is a tough game against Manipur, but we will look to compete and do our best to get the win and put three points on the board.”
Services skipper Sergeant Vivek Kumar accompanied the Head Coach in the press conference. Speaking about his team’s preparation, he said “We have trained hard for the competition and we are looking forward to show our efforts on the field. Manipur is a very tough team to play in the first match, but we are raring to go against them.”
Manipur Head Coach Gift Raikhan remained upbeat as he spoke in the pre-match press conference. He said, “We are really happy to be here for the 75th edition of the Santosh Trophy. Our team is training at its best, and this will be a really good platform for our boys to showcase their talent. It will be a very exciting match up against Services as they are a very solid team.”
In the first match in Group B, Odisha will lock horns against Karnataka at the Kotappadi Stadium in Malappuram at 4 PM IST. Odisha Head Coach Salim Akbar Pathan provided a glimpse into his team’s outlook for the competition in his pre-match press conference. He said, “We are going to take this tournament game by game and every win is going to raise our motivation level. I believe we have the talent to go out there put up an impressive performance.”
Odisha Captain Rakesh Omar added, “I am happy to be here in Kerala. The team has been preparing very hard for the tournament. Playing in front of the crowd and fans will be a happy memory we will have. The lockdown has been hard on everyone so getting back on the field in front of fans is very special for us.”
Karnataka Head Coach Biby Thomas Muttath said in his team’s pre-match press conference, “The players are very excited to play the tournament, especially in Kerala. The support from the fans is incredible and we are waiting to play our first game against a talented Odisha team. It will be a good test for us.”
Karnataka Captain M. Sunil Kumar said, “The team is building up really good momentum ahead of the tournament. Football is a team sport and I believe if we give our best together as a unit then we have a good chance of reaching the top.”
Gujarat will begin their campaign against Services on April 19th at the Kottappadi Stadium in Malappuram. Speaking in the pre-match press conference, Gujarat Head Coach Marcelino Aleixo Pereira said, “Getting qualified for the Santosh trophy was a happy as well as a sad moment for me as our team reached the final round of the Santosh Trophy after 36 years and this is a huge achievement for us. However, there was a hint of sadness because I am from Goa, and we defeated Goa to qualify for the Santosh Trophy.”
Gujarat Captain Brajeshkumar Yadav said, “The Coach has done the impossible for us and we don’t want to let him down at any cost. We want to perform the best we can and work towards our dream of winning this trophy.”
Credits: AIFF Media
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read: MFA Elite League: Mumbai Strikers hold PIFA to a 1-1 draw; DK Pharma, Millat FC pick wins
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
10 men Kenkre hold table toppers RoundGlass Punjab in a 6-goal thriller
RoundGlass Punjab FC (RGPFC) were held by ten men Kenkre FC in a six-goal thriller in a Round 15 fixture of the Hero I – League 2022-23 season played here…
MFA Weekly round-up: KSA maintains League lead, Atlanta FC keeps up the chase
It was another week of thrilling football action in the MFA league as fans were treated to a host of entertaining matches. The week started with Match 71 where Millat…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
FC Goa complete signing of defender Nikhil Prabhu
FC Goa have completed the signing of Nikhil Prabhu, the defender has put pen-to-paper on a one-a-half-year contract with the Gaurs, which will see him wear the Club’s iconic orange…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Kerala Blasters signs Bengaluru FC midfielder Danish Farooq
Kerala Blasters FC have completed the signing of midfielder Danish Farooq Bhat from Bengaluru FC, as per reports. The tuskers have reportedly paid an undisclosed transfer fee to Bengaluru FC…
Traditional powerhouses, unlikely upstarts and generous hosts set to clash in 76th Hero Santosh Trophy
NEW DELHI: The allure of the Santosh Trophy is undeniable, enduring over time — protest, partition, and pandemic mere hurdles surmounted by the weight of a pan-India tournament that hones young…
KSFA to revive Stafford Cup after 3 decades
The Stafford Challenge Cup, which is an important part of Indian football history since 1938, is all set to return after 30 long years as the Karnataka State Football Association…
Manolo Marquez: Yellow was fair but fourth official is not VAR
One of the big talking points of the game was Sanjeev Stalin’s booking, which referee Harish Kundu after consulting with the assistant referee had changed his initial Red into a…
India U20 / SAFF Women's Championship
Confident India begin SAFF U-20 Women’s C’ship campaign against Bhutan
DHAKA, BANGLADESH: The India U-20 Women’s National Team will depend on it’s mixture of youth and experience as they embark on their SAFF U-20 Women’s Championship campaign in Dhaka. India begin…
Clock ticking for Chennaiyin FC as they host Odisha FC in all-or-nothing encounter between playoff hopefuls
Odisha FC will be looking to propel themselves back into the playoff spots as they visit the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai to face Chennaiyin FC, who are also looking…
India U20 / Indian Women’s Football Team / SAFF Women's Championship
Hat-trick of substitutes as India run riot against Bhutan
DHAKA, BANGLADESH: It took them around 30 minutes to break the deadlock, but by then, the floodgates were already bursting at the seams. Three hat-tricks by as many substitutes capped off…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Millat FC to hold trials for MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season Millat had a decent run in…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
MFA Elite Division club KSA to conduct trials for the upcoming season
Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season KSA had an amazing…
3rd Division / MDFA / Trials
Young Guns Football Acadmey to conduct trials for their upcoming MFA 3rd Division Campaign
MFA 3rd Division club Young Guns Football Academy will be conducting open trials on October 9th for their upcoming season in Mumbai Football Young Guns Football Academy was founded in…
OSCAR SSE to conduct trials for Youth I League and YPL team in the U13 category in Mumbai
Mumbai-based OSCAR SSE will conduct trials for their Youth I League and YPL team on 16th and 17th July 2022 at Wings Sports Centre ground. Oscar SSE is a 2-star…