Exclusive performance of Group E on November 20th
Exciting news for football fans, the 78th Senior National Football Championship 2024 (Santosh Trophy) is here, and the land of Assam has been hit up with yesterday’s performance. The venue for GROUP E was Deshbhakta Maidan, Mukalmua, Nalbari. All four state teams battling it out in Group E with a spectacular performance. All players have shown their exceptional skill, dedication, and passion to make their state proud on this grand stage.
The scheduled dates were from 20th to 24th November 2024. On 20th November, Group E had 4 teams that were battling each other, Meghalaya vs Arunachal Pradesh and Assam vs Nagaland. Four of them have shown great spirit and determination, the tension from the near misses had fans glued to their seats, hearts pounding in anticipation.
When did the Santosh Trophy start?
India’s top state-level football tournament, the Santosh Trophy, has been a cornerstone of the sport since its inception in 1941. Named after Maharaja Sir Manmatha Nath Roy Chowdhary of Santosh, this prestigious tournament was initiated by the Indian Football Association to promote the sport nationwide. Over the decades, it has been a breeding ground for talent, producing many players who went on to represent India at the international level.
Initially dominated by Bengal, the tournament’s landscape diversified as football gained popularity in other states. Bengal is the most successful team with 32 titles, followed by Punjab and Goa. The tournament has undergone several format changes but continues to be fiercely competitive, showcasing India’s footballing prowess.
How does the Santosh Trophy work?
The Santosh Trophy, India’s premier inter-state football competition, is not just a platform for showcasing talent but also a tightly regulated tournament. Governed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the tournament ensures fair play and competitive integrity through its rules and format which are-
Format-
- Groups– Teams representing Indian states, the 2024-25 season has 36 teams divided into nine groups during the preliminary rounds.
- Teams– Each group has four teams that compete in a round-robin format. The matches take place at designated venues in the host cities, where each team competes against every other team once.
- Next round– The top teams from each group progress to the next stage. The final rounds and knockouts feature 12 qualified teams.
- Knockout Stages: Following the group stage, the tournament transitions to a knockout format, ending with a final match to crown the champion.
Regulation-
- Match duration– Standard football rules apply with two halves of 45 minutes each and a 15-minute halftime. Extra time or penalty shootouts decide the winner in case of a tie during knockout games.
- Points Allocation: In this scoring system, a win earns 3 points, a draw earns 1 point, and a loss earns 0 points. In the event of tied points, goal difference serves as the tiebreaker.
- Substitutions: Teams can make up to five substitutions per match, following international football guidelines.
Player and Squad Eligibility-
- Player eligibility– Players must represent the state or institution they are registered within domestic competitions. Fairness is maintained through rigorous checks on age and amateur or professional status.
- Squad Eligibility– Each team is required to submit a final squad of 23 players, which must include a minimum of three goalkeepers.
Rules-
- Yellow and Red Cards: The accumulation of two yellow cards in the group stages results in a one-match suspension. Straight red cards lead to immediate suspension pending further review.
- Fair Play Award: The tournament encourages sportsmanship by rewarding the team with the best disciplinary record.
Unique Features of Santosh Trophy
Unlike club-based tournaments, the Santosh Trophy emphasizes state pride and grassroots talent development. The tournament boasts a proud history of discovering future stars who go on to excel in professional leagues and national teams. By maintaining a structured and transparent set of rules, the Santosh Trophy continues to uphold its legacy as a prestigious competition in Indian football. Its regulations ensure a level playing field while fostering talent and promoting football across the country.
Group E performance
With an exhilarating opening match at Deshbhakta Stadium in Mukalmua, Nalbarii! Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya delivered a spectacular display of football, keeping fans captivated right up to the final whistle. The full-time score of match number 1 is Arunachal Pradesh – 3, Meghalaya – 4. In a thrilling encounter, Meghalaya secured a hard-earned victory, while Arunachal Pradesh deserves credit for their determination and resilience, making it a remarkable game to start the season.
On the other hand, the second match of the tournament saw Assam face off against Nagaland. The action began at 2 PM on 20th November 2024, with both teams keen to leave their mark on the competition. The match was packed with excitement, as Nagaland took the lead against Assam. It was a tough battle, but yesterday wasn’t Assam’s day. Kudos to Nagaland for securing a well-earned victory. Football is a sport built on continuous growth and progress. Let’s reset, take lessons from this, and come back even stronger in the next match. Watch the full match on Assam Football Association‘s Facebook page and cheer for your favorite team on the 22nd of November.
As the group stage progresses, teams are fighting for the top spots to advance to the knockout rounds. The competition continues to deliver thrilling action for football fans across the country. Stay with us for more updates on the Santosh Trophy as the tournament progresses!
Conclusion
The land of Assam has been hit up with yesterday’s performance. The venue for GROUP E was Deshbhakta Maidan, Mukalmua, Nalbari. All players have shown exceptional skill, dedication, spectacular performance, and great passion to make their state proud on this grand stage.
The Santosh Trophy, India’s premier state-level football competition, was first introduced in 1941. Named after Maharaja Sir Manmatha Nath Roy Chowdhary of Santosh, this prestigious tournament was initiated by the Indian Football Association to promote the sport nationwide. Over the decades, it has been a breeding ground for talent, producing many players who went on to represent India at the international level.