“Bengal and Manipur Secure Thrilling Wins to Reach Santosh Trophy Semi-Finals”
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], December 27: In a thrilling day of football action at the Deccan Arena, West Bengal and Manipur secured their places in the semi-finals of the 78th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy. While Bengal showcased composure to overcome Odisha, Manipur displayed sheer resilience and flair to edge past Delhi in extra time.
Bengal’s Comeback Victory Against Odisha
Thirty-two-time champions West Bengal once again proved their mettle, recovering from a one-goal deficit to defeat Odisha 3-1. This victory marks their 52nd appearance in the semi-finals of the Santosh Trophy.
Odisha stunned Bengal early on, taking the lead in the 25th minute through Rakesh Oram. Oram’s perfectly timed header, following a corner from Bikash Kumar Sahoo, gave the underdogs a moment to cherish. However, Bengal equalised just before the break, thanks to a powerful strike from Narohari Shrestha.
The second half saw Bengal assert dominance. Robi Hansda, the tournament’s leading scorer, showcased his quality yet again with a sensational left-footed half-volley in the 70th minute, following an assist from Shrestha. As Odisha pushed forward for an equaliser, substitute Manotos Maji sealed Bengal’s win with an injury-time goal on a counter-attack.
Hansda’s ninth goal of the tournament not only consolidated his position as the top scorer but also highlighted Bengal’s attacking prowess. Despite Odisha’s spirited fight, Bengal’s experience and composure carried them through, keeping their dream of a 33rd title alive.
Manipur Triumphs in Extra-Time Thriller Against Delhi
In the second quarter-final, Manipur delivered a spectacle, overcoming Delhi 5-2 in an electrifying match that went into extra time. The regulation 90 minutes ended in a 2-2 stalemate, but Manipur’s attacking brilliance in extra time proved too much for Delhi.
Delhi took an early lead in the 10th minute when Jaideep Singh capitalised on a goalkeeping error by Salam Sanaton Singh. However, Manipur equalised early in the second half as LT Lowly found the net following a deflection off a corner. Barely a minute later, Sagar Singh’s stunning curling shot gave Manipur a 2-1 advantage.
Delhi’s persistence paid off in the 65th minute when Jaideep Singh calmly converted a penalty, bringing the game level once again. With neither side able to find a winner in regular time, the match headed into extra time.
Manipur’s Shunjanthan Ragui emerged as the star of the match, scoring twice in the additional period. His outstanding volley off a cleared corner restored Manipur’s lead in the fourth minute of extra time, and he extended it with a composed penalty towards the end of the first extra-time period. Ragui’s Player of the Match performance was capped by his involvement in the team’s final goal, as Khullakpam Zahir Khan expertly headed in his curling cross early in the second extra-time period.
Deflated by Manipur’s relentless attack, Delhi struggled to mount a comeback. Manipur’s fifth appearance in the Santosh Trophy semi-finals was secured in emphatic fashion, showcasing their determination and skill.
Both Bengal and Manipur now look ahead to the semi-finals, with Bengal aiming for their 33rd title and Manipur chasing glory through sheer grit and brilliance. Football fans can expect more thrilling action as the tournament approaches its climax.
