Santosh Trophy final to take place in same stadium where Messi vs Ronaldo match took place

Karnataka and Meghalaya will be a part of history when y set foot on ground at  King Fahd International Stium in Riyh, Saudi Arabia in Santosh Trophy Final. This is first time Indian national football championship is being held on foreign soil in such a grand manner. This is very stium that witnessed two of stalwarts Lionel Messi and Cristia Ronaldo a few weeks earlier as two were vying with each or in a friendly match.

Santosh Trophy Final is to be held at same venue where Messi and Ronaldo played

Ronaldo joined Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr this year and 38-year-old has been on a scoring spree for his club. Messi lifted FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year and has replicated his form for Partis Saint Germain this campaign. Despite Ronaldo's brace, Messi h last laugh as his side edged past Al-Nassr 5-4.

AIFF's new visionary romap has seen massive steps taken for betterment of Indian Football and arrangement of Santosh Trophy in Saudi Arabia is brainchild of new set of officials heed by president Kalyan Chaubey. Teams from Indian Super League and I-League usually don't like idea of ir players getting called by ir states as it heightens chances of injuries.

Meghalaya he coach Khlain Syiemlieh heaped praises on his side before this gala clash. 

“Right from group sts, our team has been making comebacks constantly. We were down 1-2 against Odisha in group st and if we lost we would t even have qualified. n we were losing to West Bengal, and n to Punjab. So one way to look at it is that boys have a lot of heart and kw how to battle versity.

“We kw that Karnataka are good on ball and have a lot of talented players who are playing in clubs and in ISL reserve sides. But we are undaunted. boys kw gameplan and will stick to it."

He also ackwledged efforts from fans.

“Our phones have been flooded with congratulatory messs. Even on social media, re has been an outpouring of love from fans in Shillong.

Everyone is excited. It gives us a lot of heart that y are supporting us from afar. It's a moment of pride for us, and we want to take this trophy back to Shillong.”