Bengaluru: Kerala underlined their drive towards topping Group A with a 7-0 haranguing of Andhra Pradesh in the Santosh Trophy South Zone qualifiers here at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Thursday.





The five-time national champions Kerala proved to be leading contenders to qualify for the main stage with a quick start, as winger Jithin ran through the right channel and crossed for Sajith Poulouse to apply the finish in the 3rd minute.

Ten minutes later, the eight-time cup runners-up delivered the goods again through the right side with forward Afdal V.K took a great free-kick, finding U-21 midfielder Rahul K.P who slotted home.

And just past the quarter of an hour mark, Andhra Pradesh had to pick the ball out their net again courtesy a stray Singampalli Vinod backpass. The own goal meant 3-0 to Kerala at half-time.

It was more of the same at the restart as Andhra kept losing the ball in transition and conceded four more times in the second half.

Jithin’s cut-back was perfect for Rahul K.P's second in the 49th minute before Andhra had truly lost the plot; a soaring attempt from distance saw defender get on the scoresheet for 5-0.

Afdal rounded off the scoring with a brace as Kerala sounded the sirens as title contenders.

Result: Kerala 7 (Sajith Poulose 3, Rahul KP 13, 49, Singampalli Vinod og-16, Vibin Thomas 53, Afdal 63, 75) Andhra Pradesh 0

Today’s fixtures: Group A: Karnataka vs Pondicherry (1:15 PM), Telangana vs Services (4 PM)