Photocredit: AIFF
In the match played at the GMC Balayogi Stadium in Hyderabad on Tuesday, Robbie Hansda defeated Kerala in the final over (1-0) to hand Bengal the Santosh Trophy.
Kerala were left unscathed after scoring the winning goal in the second minute of six minutes of extra time at the end of the 90 minutes. It was just as they were preparing to play extra time that Hansda scored a goal from a narrow chance thanks to his killer instinct. Hansda, who is the highest scorer in the Santosh Trophy this season with 11 goals till the semi-finals, scored the goal past goalkeeper Hajmal on a failed clearance.
There was some drama after the Bengal goal, as Kerala were awarded an indirect free kick inside the box, but captain Sanju G missed the target. BB Thomas’ Kerala were expected to end their three-year trophy drought, but Bengal eventually won their 33rd title.
Kerala dominated most of the match for both teams, but Sanjay Sen’s Bengal threatened continuously in the break and from set pieces. Kerala’s best chances came mainly in the first half and early in the second half.
Kerala’s strongest weapon was Mohammed Ajzal, while Bengal managed to silence the other two attackers, Naseeb Rahman and Nijo Gilbert. However, Nijo was able to find decent crosses and he assisted Ajzal well in the first 10 minutes, but the striker only managed to head them in. In the first 25 minutes, Ajzal and Hansda unleashed shots from outside the box, but they could not trouble their respective goalkeepers, Saurav Samanta and Hajmal S.
Kerala created another chance in the 55th minute, but Samanta was alert to the danger. Ajzal got a touch to turn Nijo’s cross towards goal, but the Bengal goalkeeper was in a good position to block it.
In the 58th minute, Bengal had a great chance to trouble Hajmal in the Kerala goal when they were awarded a free kick a few yards outside the box, but they squandered it.
In the 75th minute, Bengal brought on striker Israful Diwan for Abusufian SK. In the 78th minute, Nijo brought on Mohammed Roshal for Gilbert.
After 80 minutes, Bengal shocked Kerala when a deflection almost led to an own goal. A minute later, Kerala playmaker Christy Davis was in the right place to clear a goalbound attempt. Bengal were lively in the closing moments, and their perseverance in extra time was rewarded.
