Services 2-0 Railways Highlights, Santosh Trophy Semi-Final: Abhishekh Powar Double Fires SSB To Finals

Good morning, football fans! A bit of Indian football magic for us, as the semi-final, supposed to kick off at 1:30 PM IST, started at 11:00 AM IST instead. So, follow our live blog for the remainder of this nail-biter contest.

Talk about starting in the moment! After attacking relentlessly for the opening half-hour, Abhishekh Powar gives Services the breakthrough. A long ball towards the box fell to the attacker, whose half volley left the goalkeeper flatfooted.

Since going down, Railways responded well, carving out a couple of decent chances but could not capitalise on them. After three minutes of stoppage time, the referee blows his whistle to bring the first half to an end.

The referee blows his whistle, and the second half is underway. No changes at half-time for either side as a big second half awaits for Railways, who trail by a goal.

Gagandeep Singh has been a busy man in goal for Services. After holding on to a free-kick which was hit straight at him, the goalkeeper had to do well to parry a looping shot over the crossbar. Railways are mounting on the pressure.

Services have a rare foray forward, winning a corner on the right side. The ball is floated in towards the far post, but the header is not goalwards and runs away for a throw. Railways recover posession.

Zaheer Khan gets caught by the trailing leg of a defender in the box and goes down, and the referee points to the spot immediately. Abhishekh Powar setps up to take the spot kick, and he rolls it calmly into the corner, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

How did that not go in?! Superb work from Powar, who made his way into the box and has a grounded shot trying to find the far corner. He beats the goalkeeper, but it hits the inside of the post and then rebounds outside. So, so unlucky.

The referee blow the full-time whistle, and Services continue their domination, moving into the Santosh Trophy finals for the 13th time. Abhishekh Powar was the hero, with the Maharashtrian forward scoring twice and hitting the post once as well.