Home team Kerala came back to beat Bengali heavyweights 5-4 in a penalty shootout and won the Santosh Trophy for a seventh time at Manjeri Payyanad Football Stadium in Malappuram on Monday. Playing in front of a packed home crowd with 26,857 in attendance, Bino George Chiramal-trained Kerala was unable to penetrate Bengal’s defence, ahead of the excellence of experienced goalkeeper Priyant Kumar Singh in the allotted time. . The record 32-time champions, seeking revenge for their last home defeat in 2016-17, took the lead in extra time through a tricky header from Dilip Orrise (97th). ), excellent set up by Supriya Pandit from the left. But Bengal’s defense led by captain Monotosh Chakladar collapsed in the final four minutes of extra time in a replay of Bengal’s goal.
Just as the crowd turned hostile and started to throw bottles from the stands, it was Bibin Ajayan who scored the equalizer with a mighty header after being set up from the right by Noufal PN to force the shot. penalty shootout.
Bengal started the penalty shootout with Dilip Orawn’s strike but in their second attempt Sajal Bag went long, making the final decision.
Bablu Ora, Tanmoy Ghosh and keeper Priyant converted their chances and in a last-ditch effort they put the big task on reserve keeper Raja Burman to deny Kerala’s winning penalty.
Burma tried their best but Faslurahman Methukayil blocked the ball, kicking the ball into the top corner of the goal to win the first Santosh Cup at home since 1993 (Kochi).
After beating Bengal 2-0 in the group stage, Kerala scored twice against the team coached by Ranjan Bhattacharya.
It was a contrasting story of two innings with Bengal dominating the first 45 minutes, while Kerala repeatedly closed in after the substitution.
It was a brave display by goalkeeper Priyant Kumar Singh under their crossbar that Bengal kept hoping to bring home the Cup.
Priyant’s best save came in the 33rd minute when he parried a terrifying Viknesh M shot to keep the goal steady.
Two minutes later, Priyant was again in heavy action, this time denying Sanju G.
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Top Bengal striker Molla had a forgettable game and squandered a few chances in the first half.
The home side pressed hard in the second half with the league’s top two goalscorers Jijo Joseph and Vikensh unleashing a wave of attacks but the Bengal defense turned down all their efforts as the game fell apart. The goal takes place within the allotted time.
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