Zahir’s brace helps Services get the better of Karnataka

Services edged out Karnataka 2-1 in an exciting Santosh Trophy qualifying round match at the Bangalore Football Stadium here on Monday (December 22, 2025). Zahir Khan gave Services the early lead with a calm penalty conversion. The forward then added another to the tally in the 15th minute, when he timed his run perfectly to head a cross in. Karnataka pulled one back in the second-half, after Services’ Roshan Panna failed to get past Karnataka goalkeeper Sahil in a one-on-one chance. Sahil’s quick goal kick led to a perfect strike from Louis Nickson, who struck a curler from outside the box. Karnataka continued to attack, and managed to find the net in the 87th minute. The celebrations, however, came to a halt when the referee disallowed the goal due to a handball foul. In its opening match on Saturday, Karnataka had defeated Lakshadweep 3-0. The results: Lakshadweep 1 (Sabir Ali 65) drew with Goa 1 (Frazier Miranda 45); Services 2 (Zahir Khan 8, 15) bt Karnataka 1 (Louis Nickson 68). Published - December 23, 2025 01:33 am IST

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