Santosh Trophy 2022–23: Defending Santosh trophy Champions Kerala draw against Odisha, Final Round of tournament kicks off

Santosh Trophy 2022–23: Indian Football: Santosh Trophy Final Round: On Thursday, January 19, 2023, the draw for the final rounds of the National Football Championship for the 76th Santosh Trophy took conducted at the Federation’s headquarters, the Football House. The draw was held in the presence of Secretary General Dr Shaji Prabhakaran as part of the new structure for the renowned tournament. The finals will be held in Odisha from February 10 to 20, 2023. The tournament’s semi-finals, third-place playoff, and final will all take place in Saudi Arabia. Follow Indian Football LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.

Santosh Trophy 2022-23: Defending Santosh trophy Champions Kerala draw against Odisha, Final Round of tournament kicks off – Check Out

Speaking after the draw, Dr Prabhakaran hoped the final rounds would match the intensity and quality of the group stages. “It will be an exciting final round, and defending champions Kerala will be up against it, in a tough group,” he said. “We always expect quality teams from Maharashtra and Karnataka (who reached the semi-finals last time around), and with the hosts also in that mix, it should be exciting.

Defending champions Kerala and hosts Odisha in the same group for final rounds of #HeroSantoshTrophy 🏆#IndianFootball ⚽

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) January 19, 2023

“In the other group, Bengal, Services and Railways are obvious candidates for the title, but I would also like to pay a compliment to Delhi, who have surprised many by qualifying for the final round. I look forward to an exciting end to this new format of the tournament.”

“The five groups, conducted so far, have been a hugely competitive affair, and I expect no less from group 6 which will commence in Manipur in a few days’ time,” Dr Prabhakaran said, welcoming the representatives of the state associations to the draw ceremony, “I wish all the teams good luck and have no doubt that the most deserving four will earn their ticket to Saudi Arabia where the semi-finals, third-place playoff and final will be played next month.”

Santosh Trophy 2022-23: Defending Santosh trophy Champions Kerala draw against Odisha, Final Round of tournament kicks off – Check Out

Champions from the previous season Kerala was the first team to emerge from the pot, joining Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa in Group A. The champions of Group VI, which begins on January 22 in Imphal, will also be placed in Group A. Odisha, the tournament’s hosts for the final round, is also in Group A.

Santosh Trophy 2022-23: Defending Santosh trophy Champions Kerala draw against Odisha, Final Round of tournament kicks off – Check Out

GROUP A: Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha, Group VI Winner

FIXTURES

February 10: Goa vs Kerala

Maharashtra vs Odisha

Winner Group VI vs Karnataka

February 12: Kerala vs Karnataka

Winner Group VI vs Maharashtra

Goa vs Odisha

February 14: Karnataka vs Goa

Odisha vs Winner Group VI

Kerala vs Maharashtra

February 17: Maharashtra vs Karnataka

Odisha vs Kerala

Winner Group VI vs Goa

February 19: Karnataka vs Odisha

Goa vs Maharashtra

Kerala vs Winner Group VI

Santosh Trophy 2022-23: Defending Santosh trophy Champions Kerala draw against Odisha, Final Round of tournament kicks off – Check Out

Group B includes the runners-up from the previous season, Bengal, Delhi, and Meghalaya, as well as the two direct entrants, Services and Railways. The runners-up from Group II or Group IV will fill the final position in this group, depending on which group has a superior record according to the rules.