But Kerala XI broke the tie-breaker jinx to beat SBI XI 2-0, as both the goals came through field efforts by Santosh P in the last quarter final of the 6th KSA All India Veterans football tournament, at the Karnatak Sports Association ground on Thursday.

In the earlier match, the trend of penalty shootouts continued, with hosts KSA XI (Red) ousting Hyderabad XI 4-3 via the tie-breaker after regulation time ended goalless.

Kerala XI, showing surprising agility and skills for an over-40 side, scored both goals through their striker Santosh P, a five-time former international employed with Kerala Police, after the SBI defence was caught napping, the goals coming on either side of the lemon break. Their forward line was backed by some stout defensive play and creative midfield moves.

SBI, who had four-time hockey Olympian Dhanraj Pillay in the forward line, could make no dent on the Kerala defence, and though they managed to enjoy periods of ascendancy they seldom came close to scoring.

On the times they did manage to enter the Kerala box, striker Pillay and Hasmukh Baria were way off target.

The earlier match between KSA XI and Hyderabad XI was also a close-fought affair with both the team’s defence line standing out with their showing.

In fact, the team from Hyderabad must be credited with doing well to keep at bay the KSA forward line, which basted of names like Manzur Arfin, Douglas D’Sena and Santosh Kashyap, all formidable players from the recent past.

In the semi-finals on Friday, Kerala XI will take on Air India, while KSA XI (Red) will meet Central Railway.

Results: (Q/F)