<p>Thursday's Santosh Trophy semi-final between Kerala and neighbours Karnataka saw a thrashing victory for the former, who managed to reach the finals of the trophy, winning the game 7 goals to 3.</p>.<p>As the Payyanad stadium, better known as Sports Complex Stadium in Malappuram district, set the stage for the clash between arch-rivals- Kerala and West Bengal- one Kerala player, in particular, has been grabbing the spotlight.</p>.<p>Coincidentally, the last time Kerala lifted the trophy was in 2018, when they went on to beat West Bengal on their home turf, in penalties.</p>.<p>Jesin T K, a native of Nilambur from the same district, has been hailed as the latest football sensation in the state, grabbed the headline, for his remarkable 5-goal haul in the semis. Jesin came on as a substitute in the 30th minute when his team was a goal behind. It took him just 4 minutes, when the pacey striker chipped over a rushing goalkeeper, levelling the score.</p>.<p>He went on to score a couple just before half-time to complete a hat-trick within 15 minutes. A brace in the second half sealed the deal for the hosts. With this remarkable feat, Jesin became the only player in Santosh Trophy history to score a 'glut' as a substitute. He also holds the state record for the most number of goals scored in a single game.</p>.<p>Jesin's father, Nizar, is also an avid lover of the sport. “I wanted to become a footballer but I was not focused. I got into various sports, such as athletics, basketball and kabaddi, and ended up becoming no one", he says in an <em>Indian Express</em> <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/auto-drivers-dream-turns-real-his-son-is-keralas-new-football-sensation-7896737/" target="_blank">report</a>. He also added that Jesin's grandmother too had a significant impact on his career.</p>.<p>Nizar, an auto-driver by profession, missed out on the semis and had to resort to a live stream. This time, however, he is not taking any chances, calling it 'the most important day of my life.</p>.<p>As the football-crazy district of Malappuram will set the stage for Monday's finals, with Kerala eyeing their 7th title, Nizar expects to be in the stands of the 30,000-seater, cheering, hoping to realise his unfulfilled dreams through his son.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>
<p>Thursday's Santosh Trophy semi-final between Kerala and neighbours Karnataka saw a thrashing victory for the former, who managed to reach the finals of the trophy, winning the game 7 goals to 3.</p>.<p>As the Payyanad stadium, better known as Sports Complex Stadium in Malappuram district, set the stage for the clash between arch-rivals- Kerala and West Bengal- one Kerala player, in particular, has been grabbing the spotlight.</p>.<p>Coincidentally, the last time Kerala lifted the trophy was in 2018, when they went on to beat West Bengal on their home turf, in penalties.</p>.<p>Jesin T K, a native of Nilambur from the same district, has been hailed as the latest football sensation in the state, grabbed the headline, for his remarkable 5-goal haul in the semis. Jesin came on as a substitute in the 30th minute when his team was a goal behind. It took him just 4 minutes, when the pacey striker chipped over a rushing goalkeeper, levelling the score.</p>.<p>He went on to score a couple just before half-time to complete a hat-trick within 15 minutes. A brace in the second half sealed the deal for the hosts. With this remarkable feat, Jesin became the only player in Santosh Trophy history to score a 'glut' as a substitute. He also holds the state record for the most number of goals scored in a single game.</p>.<p>Jesin's father, Nizar, is also an avid lover of the sport. “I wanted to become a footballer but I was not focused. I got into various sports, such as athletics, basketball and kabaddi, and ended up becoming no one", he says in an <em>Indian Express</em> <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/auto-drivers-dream-turns-real-his-son-is-keralas-new-football-sensation-7896737/" target="_blank">report</a>. He also added that Jesin's grandmother too had a significant impact on his career.</p>.<p>Nizar, an auto-driver by profession, missed out on the semis and had to resort to a live stream. This time, however, he is not taking any chances, calling it 'the most important day of my life.</p>.<p>As the football-crazy district of Malappuram will set the stage for Monday's finals, with Kerala eyeing their 7th title, Nizar expects to be in the stands of the 30,000-seater, cheering, hoping to realise his unfulfilled dreams through his son.</p>.<p><strong>Watch the latest DH Videos here:</strong></p>