The defending champions continued their sublime form in today's match and returned home with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Karnataka. Bengal skipper Jiten Murmu provided the initial break with Tirthankar Sarkar putting the final nail in the coffin in the dying minutes.
With the win, the 32-times champion has qualified for the summit clash once again and will take on the winner of Kerala and Mizoram on Sunday.
It's all over for Karnataka as Bengal puts the final nail in the coffin with a second goal. Tirthankar Sarkar converts a free kick with a wonderful knuckleball from right outside the box to double the lead for Bengal.
First potential chance of the half as Karnataka looked on the money to break the stalemate. The visitors with a clear goal scoring chance but the Bengal defender makes an amazing last moment tackle to save the day.
51' Tirthankar Sarkar doing an impeccable job in the midfield for Bengal falling in deep to facilitate play. He is making all the difference with some amazing passing.
Karnataka with a golden chance to take the lead and establish their dominion over the defending champions. But Bengal goalkeeper Ranajit Mazumder's heroics save the day as he makes two continuous saves in a one-on-one situation.
30' Karnataka looking restless after managing only sporadic chances inside the first half hour. The visitors are trying to penetrate the Bengal defence but the hosts have exposed very little thus far.
26' What an attempt!! Tirthankar Sarkar almost scores with his left foot swirler as the ball brushes past the woodwork. Karnataka defenders breathe easy
25' Trithankar Sarkar with a wonderful forward ball to Bidyshagar Singh and his cross results in hand-ball awarding Bengal a free kick right at the edge of the box. Can the defending champions convert it?
21' Bengal with a forward ball and Jiten Murmu wins a corner for the team. However a foul by Tirthankar Sarkar on Leon Augustine while heading the ball brings a premature end to the attack.
8' Chance! Bengal with a free-kick from a lucrative spot.Tirthankar Sarkar whips in a cross into the box but the delivery is cleared by Karnataka. Danger averted.
At the Sailen Manna Stadium in Howrah, it’s getting heating up as Bengal will take on Karnataka in the 72nd Santosh Trophy semifinals on Friday, March 30 at 2:30 PM. After losing their final group game against Kerala, Bengal is ready to face Karnataka and take their place in the finals to face Kerala or Mizoram. As the defending champions, they need to pick up the victory for not losing the tag as ‘the champions’.
It will be a tough game for Karnataka, to face the champions in the semifinals. They fully deserve to take on Bengal as they worked very hard for this.As for Karnataka, the faced lots of difficulties to be in semifinals. They qualified to the semifinals due to their hard work and determination. This match will be full of thrill which shows Karnataka’s willingness and Bengal’s hunger for remaining champions. In this match, anything can happen as the hunger for winning the title will start today.