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.
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
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
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
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
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
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