Santosh Trophy: Bengal, Kerala set up final clash

Bengaluru, March 30: Defending champions Bengal moved past Karnataka 2-0 on Friday (March 30) at the Sailen Manna Stadium, Howrah, Kolkata to set-up a title clash against Kerala in the Santosh Trophy.

Skipper Jiten Murmu and Tirthankar Sarkar scored in the 57th and 92nd minute respectively for the hosts.

72nd Hero Santosh Trophy
Full Time - Karnataka 0 - 2 West Bengal.#SantoshTrophy#KARvBEN pic.twitter.com/hgAoPNSn7X

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 30, 2018

On the other hand, Kerala's winner against Mizoram came through VK Afdal in the 54th minute at Mohun Bagan ground in Kolkata. The summit clash between 32-time winners Bengal and five-time champions Kerala will be held on Sunday (April 1).

72nd Hero Santosh Trophy
Full Time - Kerala 1 - 0 Mizoram#SantoshTrophy#KERvMIZ pic.twitter.com/8lb9cXdeGg

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 30, 2018

Bengal started as the better side. Bengal coach Ranjan Chowdhury deployed Jiten Murmu and Bidyashagar Singh upfront but the duo didn't have much of an impact in the first 45 minutes.

In the 17th minute, Sukesh Leon of Karnataka hit the woodwork with a header that took Bengal's goalkeeper, Ranajit Majumder by surprise. The young shot-stopper then followed with two great saves to keep Bengal in the game.

Meanwhile, Bengal had a close chance of their own in the 36th minute through Sumit Das, who covered a lot of ground after getting the ball from midfield but the winger could not keep his effort on target from inside the box.

Changing over, both teams seemed keen to make an early impression, but it was Bengal who secured the all-important opening goal in the 57th minute though Jiten. Sumit's fierce effort was palmed away by Karnataka keeper Shaikhan CP but Jiten was at the right place at right time to slot home from the rebound.

Despite the goal, or perhaps because of it, the match continued to be played on a high tempo. Free-kicks from wide areas for Bengal continued to be an outlet towards the goal as the hosts dominated two thirds of possession in the second half.

Meanwhile, Karnataka also pushed hard for an equaliser, Shamanth Dodda joined Rajesh in the forward line but Karnataka could not find a way through the defence and it was Bengal who looked more likely to score.

Thereafter, Bengal continued to dominate proceedings but had to wait till the additional time to get their second.

Jiten with a brilliant run on the right got past his marker but was brought down on the edge of the box when he was about to pull the trigger, which earned Bengal a free-kick and Tirthankar made no mistake to put the ball into the back of the net to confirm Bengal's place in the final.