It was an ecstatic finish to the league for Bengal as they bulldozed their way into the semi-finals of Santosh Trophy. In what was a keenly fought encounter, Bengal drew first blood through a Snehashish Chakrobarty strike. A move that was initiated by the striker himself and midfielder Shubho, who returned possession by way of a delicate pass into the box, resulted in the ball screaming past a hapless Punjab keeper. But defending champions Punjab were not to be kept down for long. They kept attacking, making life hectic for the Bengal defence. The latter defence must be given due credit for playing brillaintly today. They gained possession off most Punjab attacks, and managed to return the ball to their own midfielders. Something that went a tad awry in the second half against Manipur. Punjab however, held their nerve and came back in the game early in the second half with a strike from PC Mahlima who took quick advantage of a rare lapse in the Bengal defence.
Bengal showed tremendous grit and determination in the game to come back in the 84th minute. The hero, non other than Chirag's United's golden boy Pachau Lalam Puia, who scored his 3rd goal of the tournament in emphatic style to clinch the winner for Bengal. The final scoreline read 2-1 in Bengal's favour.
In today's other game, a resurgent Tamil Nadu routed Manipur 3-1, with striker P. Muthu scoring a hat-trick for the winners. They join Bengal in the semi-finals, outsting Manipur on goal difference.
Bengal have now topped the group with 5 points in 3 games, while Tamil Nadu and Manipur share second place with 4 points each, and Punjab bringing in the rear with 3 points.
A great day for Bengal football which found its chances of qualifying to be slim due to some extremely competitive football played by all 4 states in the qualifying rounds.
The other league in the touranment is also being keenly fought with one game remaining for each team. While Maharashtra having lost both their matches are out of contention, the race to semis is still on between Goa, Karnataka and Services.
All matches are broadcast live of Zee Sports.
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