Narainpur (Chhattisgarh), May 9 (UNI) Meghalaya booked their spot in the semi-finals of the Swami Vivekananda U20 Men’s National Football Championship 2025 after they edged Karnataka 1-0 at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground here on Friday.

A goal by striker Ricky Kharkongor (4’) in the fourth minute of the match clinched the issue in favour of Meghalaya. The Karnataka tried hard to make a comeback and created a few chances, especially in the second half. But the Meghalaya defence stood firm, denying their rivals any room.

Meghalaya, who made the quarter-finals on an impressive note, winning all three matches in Group A, found the going tough against Karnataka after an early strike. A cross from the left that landed in the Karnataka box was deftly pushed in from close by Kharkongor despite the presence of a couple of markers around him.

Thereafter, Karnataka made several moves throughout the encounter and came near scoring on a few occasions. But somehow, the equaliser remained elusive.

Meghalaya will play the winners of the quarter-final clash between the Group C and the Group D champions, in their semi-final.

The matches in Group C and D will begin on May 11 and May 12, respectively.

UNI BM