Santosh Trophy 2018: West Bengal vs Kerala, Live Match Updates

Full Time
Despite Bengal dominating majority of the game it's Kerala who runaway as winners. With the win, the visitors finish the group stage as leaders, establishing their dominion over Santosh Trophy heavyweights West Bengal.

KP Rahul scored a late winner for Kerala as they look to continue the momentum in the knockout phase. For Bengal, it has been a great run but the hosts eventually failed to continue their unbeaten streak in the tournament with today's loss.

And, it's all over here. The referee blows the whistle to signal the end of the match.

90' Substitution for Kerala. Jithin Gopalan comes in Afdal

88' GOOAAALLLL! KP Rahul puts Kerala ahead! The youngster makes a late run into the box, before finishing it off nicely, into the top corner!!

79' Bengal looking to take the aerial route in order to break the deadlock but Kerala are exposing very little in their defence.

77' Sanchayan Samadaar makes an ambitious attempt from distance but Hajmal collects it comfortably

75' Chancee!!
Sreekuttan with a surging run down the right flank as he whips in a ball for Afdal. The Kerala striker leaps the make a contact but Ranajit Mazumder fists the danger away. Both players go down in the scuffle

70' The referee blows the whistle for a water break as the players head for a short breather

60' A lot of exchange in possession in the midfield as both the teams are failing to capitalize in the final third

55' Ranajit Mazumder makes a brilliant save from point-blank range to deny Kerala the break. Both teams still tied at 0-0

50' Kerala with a promising surge but no end result on the attack

46' And we are underway as Kerala kicks it off from the middle.
The visitors have made two half-time changes.
Anurag PC & Shamnas go out for Sreekuttan VS and Muhammed Parokkottil

Half Time
Bengal has dominated possession and looked the better team this afternoon. However, Kerala looks to be vying for a tactical stalemate in order to finish as leaders of Group A.

Bengal will need to be more clinical in the next half if they fancy a win, especially with Kerala exposing very little in their defence

45+2' Kerala with the final attack of the half as the referee blows the whistle or halftime

45' 2 minutes have been added on.

43' Rajon Burman with a chance in front of the goal but Hajmal shows strong hands to keep the ball out

43' Nabi Khan with another long throw-in in the final minutes of the first half but Bengal fails to capitalize on the chance

40' Ankit Mukherjee coming deep to help Bengal break the deadlock but Kerala are keeping their defence extremely narrow to avoid conceding any goals

38' A long throw-in from Bengal into the Kerala box but the visitors avert the danger with ease

36' Nabi Khan maintaining a strong backline as Kerala find tough to penetrate the Bengal defence.

33' What a chance!!

Khangembam Singh provides an impeccable grounded curler to beat the defenders and find Sujay Dutta in front of the net. However, the Bengal midfielder miscues his shot as the Kerala defenders breathe easy

31' And we are back from the break as Bengal resumes with a throw in

30' A silky move by Bengal on the left flank but the ball is put out for a throw-in. The players head for a short breather as the ref blows the whistle for a water break

28' Chancee!!
U-21 talent Anurag whips in a dangerous ball into the Bengal box but a mistimed header by the Kerala striker puts the danger at bay

25' Bengal moving around the ball confidently but the precision is lacking in the final third

20' Ankit Mukherjee tries to find Sandip with a long ball up top but is intercepted. Rajon Barman collects the rebound as his shot hits the back of the net

17' Chance!!
Vibin Thomas gives Kerala with the first chance of the game. Takes a low strong shot from a set piece right outside the box but the Bengal keeper does well to collect it

15' First corner of the game for Kerala. No end result though

11' Lijo S makes an ambitious attempt from the free kick as the ball goes way over the bar. Goal kick for Bengal

11' Kerala with a set piece right outside the box. Can the visitors convert it?

9' Bengal have looked better so far with a couple of potential chances. A lot of exchange in possession in the middle but no final result yet

7' Substitution
Early sub for Bengal as Babun Das goes out with an injury. Sanchayan Samadder makes way to replace the injured midfielder

5' Chancee!!
Sandip with a shot from point-blank range but it sails inches over the bar

4' Chance!!
Rajon Burman with a chance in front of the goal but loses the ball in a scuffle

4' Bengal skipper Ankit Mukherjee falling deep to facilitate play. Bengal currently dominating possession against group leaders Kerala

2' Bengal trying to patiently build up an attack from the back but the long ball into the final third is intercepted.

1' And we are underway as Bengal kicks it off from the middle.
WB attack from left to right while Kerala will be attacking from right to left

0' Kerala would be playing in red and West Bengal will be playing in White.

The players have walked on to the pitch as the game will be underway shortly

Here's the playing XI for today's game.
West Bengal- Ranajit Mazumdar (gk), Nabi Khan, Babun Das, Khangembam Singh, Sandip Bhattacharjee, Rajon Burman, Ankit Mukherjee (C), Sujay Dutta, Sourav Dasgupta, Tanmoy Ghosh, Prosenjit Paul.

Kerala- Hajmal S (gk), Rahul V Raj (C), Lijo S, Sreerag G, Seesan S, Afdal VK, Anurag P.C, Shamnas BL, Jithin MS, Rahul KP, Vibin Thomas

The last round of games in the group stage of the Santosh Trophy are all set to get underway, as West Bengal take on Kerala at the Mohun Bagan Ground, in Kolkata, today.

Both the sides have been on sublime form so far this season, and have won all their matches so far. Their results have also ensured that both Bengal and Kerala have qualified for the semifinals.

The other teams in their pool (Group A) are Maharashtra, Manipur, and Chandigarh. Kerala have been by far the best side in the group so far, routing any team that has come their way. They are now sitting pretty at the top of the table, ahead of Bengal on goal difference.

Defending champions Bengal have also shown a lot of grit and determination, to win all their matches, but had struggled in their 1-0 victory against Chandigarh. They will be looking to finish top of the group with this win