In-form Tamil Nadu will look to carry the momentum when it takes on host Maharashtra in the semifinals of the Santosh Trophy football championship at the SEC Railway Stadium here on Friday.
It will be a battle between Maharashtra’s youthful exuberance and Tamil Nadu’s tactical brilliance. The south zone team emerged unscathed from a group that had three former champions.
The primary reason for Tamil Nadu’s spectacular run has been its watertight defence. Goalkeeper Sounesh has so far enjoyed the cushion provided by the defenders. The midfield has been creative as well as tactful.
However, the problem lies in the strike zone where the strikers have not been able to finish properly.
Tamil Nadu coach Robin Charles Raja has been able to get the best out of his players and has shown fine tactical nous against different opponents.
Striker Raegan, a key figure in the scheme of things, struck form against Punjab and if he and Tamil Nadu can replicate the flawless second-half show against Punjab in the semifinal against Maharashtra, there is nothing that can prevent it from entering its third-ever final in the history of the championship.
However, Tamil Nadu is up against a young Maharashtra side which has impressed everyone with its technical finesse. Coach Agusto D’Silva’s no-holds-barred attack from the word go has caught the eye of the neutrals. The coach will be adopting a similar approach against Tamil Nadu and also hoping to get support from the home crowd.
Services meets GoaDefending champion Services will face Goa in the first semifinal. Services took the bull by its horns when it tamed the rampaging Maharashtra in the league match. But the champion lost to Mizoram in the final league game.
Coach Shaji was not ready to dwell too much into the defeat and said his team was well prepared to challenge Goa.
Goa, which comprises mostly Dempo players, has the edge. But, coach Alfred Fernandez expressed caution and denied that his team was a favourite to win the tie.
Keeping his cards close to his chest, Alfred downplayed injuries to four key players and said the best side would take the field on Friday.
Meanwhile, both coaches expressed displeasure over the early morning start to the semifinal but said they were left with no other option but to accept it.
