Bengal trounce Punjab to win Santosh Trophy
Kolkata: Bengal re-established their supremacy in Santosh Trophy winning the 64th edition after Denson Devdas struck twice in 2-1 result against Punjab in the final at floodlit Yubabharati Krirangan here Sunday.
This was the 30th win for Bengal since their triumph in the opener in 1941 against Delhi, and they held the pride of not losing the senior national football trophy at home for the 10th time.
Winning the final play was a dramatic for the hosts as Punjab, being under pressure and surviving a header from Tariff Ahmed inside eighteen minutes, struck home in the 30th minute.
Goal machine Balwant Singh, whose first shot was fisted out by Bengal goalkeeper Abhra Mondal, headed home minutes later from a deep cross of Ruhul Kumar.
Balwant, who had to quit in the second half for foot injuries and create vacuum in Punjab's striking line, ducked himself to leap over Mondal in the air and hit home, his ninth goal here.
But Bengal, like injured tiger in a cage at the face of home crowds, repeated their semifinal show to rally for a win after railing against Goa, and the final evening was a bit improved show against Punjab to script for an outright result in the ninety-minute battle of the titans.
After Tariff Ahemed's header from Robin Singh cross hit the post in the 18th minute, Bengal found cracks in Punjab defence and utilised it in the melee. When short passes failed to yield result, Bengal switched over to long passes and lofty ball to beat Punjab goalie Paramjit Singh. Tariff was replaced by Souvik Chakraborty few mintues later for his slow pace in the front line.
As Uttarakhand referee Pratap Singh was looking to his watch to whistle for water break Denson Devdas headed in a melee from corner of captain Snehashish Chakraborty into three minutes of added time to level 1-1.
Bengal were blunt from their right flank and each and every attack spearheaded from other side helped Punjab to erect defense wall suitably. But that did not deter Denson Devdas, who sent a 30 yarder left footer to beat Paramjit Singh completely twelve minutes from end. Devdas was adjudged man of the match and Bengal received Rs 5 lakh for winning the trophy.
A jubilant coach Sabbir Ali sent kudos to his boys and said: "I am happy to have Santosh Trophy as player of the state as well as the coach."
"It was challenge for me and the boys have given me immense pleasure,"Ali said.
The victory also ensured the resurgence of Bengal's football after AIFF's new rule to have only home grown players in Santosh Trophy, that eluded the state the cup for over a decade. Bengal, the finalists for 42 time, last won the trophy in 1998-99 under Bhaichung Bhutia.
This was Bengal first victory in three finals they played of this decade.
Jagir Singh, who have won the trophy earlier as coach of Punjab, said Bengal deserved the victory.
Earlier AIFF president Praful Patel was introduced to the players.
Kolkata: Bengal re-established their supremacy in Santosh Trophy winning the 64th edition after Denson Devdas struck twice in 2-1 result against Punjab in the final at floodlit Yubabharati Krirangan here Sunday. This was the 30th win for Bengal since their triumph in the opener in 1941 against...
Kolkata: Bengal re-established their supremacy in Santosh Trophy winning the 64th edition after Denson Devdas struck twice in 2-1 result against Punjab in the final at floodlit Yubabharati Krirangan here Sunday.
This was the 30th win for Bengal since their triumph in the opener in 1941 against Delhi, and they held the pride of not losing the senior national football trophy at home for the 10th time.
Winning the final play was a dramatic for the hosts as Punjab, being under pressure and surviving a header from Tariff Ahmed inside eighteen minutes, struck home in the 30th minute.
Goal machine Balwant Singh, whose first shot was fisted out by Bengal goalkeeper Abhra Mondal, headed home minutes later from a deep cross of Ruhul Kumar.
Balwant, who had to quit in the second half for foot injuries and create vacuum in Punjab's striking line, ducked himself to leap over Mondal in the air and hit home, his ninth goal here.
But Bengal, like injured tiger in a cage at the face of home crowds, repeated their semifinal show to rally for a win after railing against Goa, and the final evening was a bit improved show against Punjab to script for an outright result in the ninety-minute battle of the titans.
After Tariff Ahemed's header from Robin Singh cross hit the post in the 18th minute, Bengal found cracks in Punjab defence and utilised it in the melee. When short passes failed to yield result, Bengal switched over to long passes and lofty ball to beat Punjab goalie Paramjit Singh. Tariff was replaced by Souvik Chakraborty few mintues later for his slow pace in the front line.
As Uttarakhand referee Pratap Singh was looking to his watch to whistle for water break Denson Devdas headed in a melee from corner of captain Snehashish Chakraborty into three minutes of added time to level 1-1.
Bengal were blunt from their right flank and each and every attack spearheaded from other side helped Punjab to erect defense wall suitably. But that did not deter Denson Devdas, who sent a 30 yarder left footer to beat Paramjit Singh completely twelve minutes from end. Devdas was adjudged man of the match and Bengal received Rs 5 lakh for winning the trophy.
A jubilant coach Sabbir Ali sent kudos to his boys and said: "I am happy to have Santosh Trophy as player of the state as well as the coach."
"It was challenge for me and the boys have given me immense pleasure,"Ali said.
The victory also ensured the resurgence of Bengal's football after AIFF's new rule to have only home grown players in Santosh Trophy, that eluded the state the cup for over a decade. Bengal, the finalists for 42 time, last won the trophy in 1998-99 under Bhaichung Bhutia.
This was Bengal first victory in three finals they played of this decade.
Jagir Singh, who have won the trophy earlier as coach of Punjab, said Bengal deserved the victory.
Earlier AIFF president Praful Patel was introduced to the players.
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