Match Day Report – Group A – Maharashtra Vs West Bengal
In the second match of Group A in 72nd Santosh Trophy we saw an exciting match between Maharashtra and Bengal at the Sailen Manna Stadium, Howrah.
Once kick – off took place Bengal were attacking from right to left and Maharashtra from left to right. In the second minute Bengal got an early chance but a heavy through ball from captain Jiten Murmu resulted in the ball going away from the Bengal attacker. Bengal won their first corner in the third minute and Tirthankar Sarkar floated the ball efficiently but it was headed away by the Maharashtra defence. Bengal looked like the better of the two sides in the initial minutes as they won another corner in the fourth minute.
Bengal were trying their luck with Sumit Das who was called for an offside in the initial moments. Maharashtra were finding it difficult to build any momentum. They were constantly struggling to keep possession of the ball. In the fifth minute a terrific run was made by Bidyashagar Singh who then passed it to Jiten Murmu who led a crack at the goal but was saved by the keeper.
In the ninth minute Leander Dharmai scored for Maharashtra against the run of play. In defensive mistake by Maharashtra Babun Das grabbed the opportunity and took a long shot but the ball went flying over the cross bar.
Bengal constantly tried to build an attack but constructive play looked missing. Maharashtra .In the twenty fourth minute Bengal missed a sitter in front of the goal with Sumit Das behind it. In the twenty ninth minute both teams went into water break as the humid day seems to be playing its part.
Bengal were close to scoring in the thirty seventh minute but a poor touch from forward Jiten Murmu let the team down. Bengal were creating ample opportunities chances but their finishing was letting them down. Goalkeeper Manav Baraskar was efficient in reading most the crosses and collected the ball again and again. Poor defending by Bengal led Maharashtra to doubling the lead but the danger was averted by Bengal.
Four minutes were added before halftime as Bengal tried to score their solitary goal before the end of first half. Just after the first half we saw Sumit Das and Bidyashagar Singh swapped wings because they were being marked . Bengal were trying to open their mark whereas Maharashtra were efficient in averting all possible attacks.
Maharashtra started the second half with Bengal making an early attack followed by excellent dribbling by Sumit Das. Maharashtra defence somehow survived a flurry of attacks.
Maharashtra goalkeeper Manav Baraskar faced a mild injury scare in the fifty third minute . A goal from the defender Monotosh Chakladar equalised for Bengal from Ankit Mukherjee’s cross. Maharashtra restarted the game and looked to build up an attack. In the first substitution for Maharashtra goalkeeper Manav Baraskar went off due to an injury and Faizan Akhtar replaced him at the goal for Maharashtra.
Captain Jiten Murmy finally hit a beautiful header in the sixtieth minute but the goal was disallowed due to a foul against him. However in the next two minutes Bengal won a free kick outside the box with beautiful assist by Tirthankar Sarkar that led to an absolute finesse header by Jiten Murmu into the back of the net.
In the second substitution for Maharashtra Sahil Bhokare was brought in, in place of the injured right back Nikhil Prabhu. Bengal kept trying to penetrate with progressive runs but were stopped by the defenders of Maharashtra. Midfielder Sumit Das was having a bad day as in an attempt to give a fine pass he lost the ball.
There was a second water break for both the teams in the seventy sixth minute. Bidyasagar Singh showed some excellent skill by making an inch perfect pass across the goal but Maharashtra hit it out for a corner.
Maharashtra looked desperate for a goal but were not able to make the attacks count. In the first substitution for Bengal Sujay Dutta came in for Sumit Das. Bidyashagar Singh scores the third goal for Bengal in the seventy ninth minute increasing the lead by two. Bengal were completely dominating the game . Bidyashagar Singh scores his second goal in the eighty second minute and gave Bengal a three goal lead over Maharashtra. In Bengal’s second substitution captain Jiten Murmu was sent off and forward Rajon Barman replaced the captain. In what appeared to be the final substitution for Bengal Tirthankar Sarkar was sent off and was replaced by Sanchayan Samadder. Substitue Sujay Dutta made two attempts from a pass by Sanchayan Samadder but it hit the Maharashtra defender. Super sub Rajon Barman scored majestic goal with an excellent volley in the eighty ninth minute extending Bengal’s lead by 4 goals.
Four minutes of injury time were added at the end of the ninety minutes. In the dying moments of the match Bengal were looking forward to score with Bidyashagar Singh coming very close to scoring the sixth goal but the Maharashtra goalkeeper Faizan Akhtar saved it this time. An emphatic victory for team Bengal as they come from behind to score five goals in the second half to register Bengal’s second win in the final round of 72nd edition Santosh Trophy.
“This team has worked for 1 year 10 months together to mark their statement” Head Coach Of Mumbai City FC U19 – Mohan Dass
In an Exclusive Interview with Mumbai City FC Coach Mohan Suresh Dass, we take a look into the Mumbai City FC U19’s triumphant journey in the MFA Super League The…
Undefeated MYJ GMSC lead the Reliance Foundation Development League – Mumbai Region
The Mumbai Leg of Reliance developmental league regional round kicked off last week, and its MYJ GMSC who have race to the top of the table. MYJGMSC are currently the…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Chennaiyin FC defender Bijay Chhetri signs for Uruguayan club
Bijay Chhetri becomes the first Indian player to sign with Latin American club after he joins Uruguayan club Colon Futbol Club on loan. The 22-year-old rising Indian footballer Bijay Chhetri…
India suffer shock defeat against Afghanistan
GUWAHATI: India’s quest for a place in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualifiers suffered a serious jolt when they went…
Blue Tigers ready to pounce on Afghanistan in chock-a-block Guwahati Stadium
GUWAHATI: The Indian senior men’s team will look to pocket full points as they take on Afghanistan in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification…
Odisha FC: The newly-crowned queens of Indian women’s football
NEW DELHI: Odisha FC Women had a dream to chase when the club was formed 20 months ago. And for dreamers, they knew, hard facts are never an obstacle. So, they…
India U23 draw with Malaysia in second friendly tie
NEW DELHI: The India Under-23 Men’s National Team drew 1-1 with the hosts Malaysia Under-23 team in their second friendly match at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on…
AIFF to felicitate Sunil Chhetri on his 150th International for the Blue Tigers
NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation will felicitate Indian Senior Men’s Team captain Sunil Chhetri, who is expected to play his 150th Senior International match in the FIFA World Cup…
Goalkeeper Elangbam Chanu signs for Australian club Metro United WFC
Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, the Indian Womens team Goalkeeper becomes the first Indian player to play in Australian League after signing for Metro United WFC. Elangbai Panthoi Chanu the Indian Keeper…
Lallianzuala Chhangte: I wouldn’t be here today if not for the chances given to me by the ISL
Mumbai, March 26: Nineteen games into the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24, Mumbai City FC finds itself placed comfortably at the top of the table with 41 points. They are well…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…