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Santosh Trophy 2022: Kerala in seventh heaven as they shoot out Bengal to reign supreme

After 90 minutes of goaless action it went to the extra time with both teams scoring a goal apiece forcing the shoot out where the hosts held their nerve.

Santosh Trophy

Bengaluru, May 2: Hosts Kerala beat Bengal 5-4 in penalties to clinch the 75th Santosh Trophy crown at the Malappuram District Sports Council Complex Stadium in Manjeri on Monday (May 2) night.

For the records, it was Kerala's seventh Santosh Trophy crown and first since 2018, when they had defeated the same opponents by a similar shoot-out in Kolkata. It was also their first win at home since 1993 when they had triumphed in Kochi.

After 90 minutes of goaless action it went to the extra time with both teams scoring a goal apiece forcing the shoot out where the hosts held their nerve.

Dilip Orawn (97th minute) scored for the visitors to break the deadlock as well as the hearts of some 25,000-plus holiday crowd who were in the Eid Ul Fitr festive mode, before Muhammad Safdan restored parity for the hosts in the 116th minute, forcing the spot-kicks.

Bengal kicked off the penalty shootout with Orawn's strike, but in their second attempt Sajal Bag shot wide which turned decisive in the end.

Bablu Ora, Tanmoy Ghosh and goalkeeper Priyant converted their chances and in the final attempt they left the big task for substitute goalkeeper Raja Burman to deny Kerala the winning penalty.

Burman tried his best but Faslurahman Methukayil sealed it, shooting the ball into the top corner as the stadium erupted in joy.

It was literally an encore in Malappuram, the cradle of football in the God's Own Country, as the last time Bengal advanced into the final was in the 2018 when they lost to Kerala on penalties at their home venue of Salt Lake Stadium.

Santosh Trophy Winners and Runners Up List From 1941 To 2022Santosh Trophy Winners and Runners Up List From 1941 To 2022

This season, Kerala had defeated Bengal 2-0 in the first round, and Bino George's men did an encore in the final played in front of a packed Eid crowd against the most successful team in the history of the tournament.

Bengal were looking to settle the scores by winning this fixture and were looking to avenge their 2018 Santosh Trophy final defeat, which they lost in penalties after the game ended in a stalemate at the end of regulation time.

Santosh Trophy 2022: Live Streaming, Schedule, Results, Teams, Group and Points TableSantosh Trophy 2022: Live Streaming, Schedule, Results, Teams, Group and Points Table

However the plot remained the same on a magical Monday night at Malappuram, literally the theatre of dreams when it comes to Kerala football.

Bengal were looking to annexe their 33rd title when they took on Kerala in the final of the one of the oldest tournaments in the country's football history.

Santosh Trohpy

It was eastern State's 46th final overall, and they had entered the contest as favourites, owing to their outstanding record in the tournament since its start in 1941.

However, Bengal went down to the in-form Kerala as the hosts annexed their seventh crown in front of a rapturous home crowd. Kudos champs!

Santosh Trophy, the premier senior national football championship is held every year since it was founded in 1941.

Santosh Trophy Final 2022, Kerala vs Bengal: Live Streaming, Date, Time -- All you need to knowSantosh Trophy Final 2022, Kerala vs Bengal: Live Streaming, Date, Time -- All you need to know

However, the tournament was not held in 2019-20 and 2020-21 due to the break enforced by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In the 75 editions held till date, Bengal is the most successful side with 32 wins.

The next best team is Punjab, who have won the title eight times while Kerala are now the third-most successful side in Santosh Trophy history with their seventh triumph.

Story first published: Tuesday, May 3, 2022, 11:16 [IST]
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