Guwahati: Odisha put up a fight against seven-time champions Kerala only to down by the slenderest of margins in their Santosh Trophy final round Group B encounter at Assam’s Dhakuakhana football stadium on Tuesday.
Shijin T’s 21st-minute strike turned out to be the only goal of the match as Kerala stand on top of Group B with 7 points from 3 games.
Despite running their opponents close, Odisha have just a solitary point to show for after 3 matches and are yet to score a goal.
Having opened their campaign with a 0-1 loss to Meghalaya, Odisha drew goalless against Services.
Odisha, currently in fifth place, will have to win their remaining two matches – against Railways on January 29 and Punjab on January 31 – to seal a quarterfinal berth.
The top four teams in Groups A and B will advance to the last-eight knockout stage.
