West Bengal narrowly beat Punjab in 75th Santosh Trophy Opener

West Bengal kicked off their campaign in the 75th Hero Santosh Trophy with a tightly fought 1-0 victory over Punjab in the opening game of the tournament.
Right from the start, the tournament’s two most successful teams attacked with fervour, intent on grabbing all three points to gain a strong foothold in Group A.
The chances flowed at both ends fairly quickly. In the 8th minute, Jashandeep Singh’s free kick from the left, curved and dipped to force West Bengal goalkeeper Priyant Kumar Singh into a save. The rebound was too quick for Amarpreet Singh to capitalize as the ball rolled wide.
Punjab had not conceded a single goal through their qualifying campaign, but here against West Bengal they faced their stiffest test, conceding possession often in the first half, and goalkeeper Harpreet Singh was called into action from multiple corners. In the 20th, Harpreet made his first real save of the game, parrying Basu Deb Mandi’s long range swerving shot to safety.
And yet, it was Punjab who could have gone into the break with the lead. A long ball from deep was misjudged by West Bengal captain Monotosh Chakladar in defence, and the ball fell to Tarun Slathia a few yards outside the box. Slathia collected neatly and charged in, with only goalkeeper Priyant to beat, but dragged his shot wide. The two teams went into the break locked in a stalemate.
West Bengal took control of proceedings more forcefully in the second half, holding possession for longer and stitching neater passes in midfield. They got their reward in the 61st minute, with the youngster Sajal Bag, drifting wide, beating his marker and crossing into the box. His delivery found Shubham Bhowmick perfectly placed near the penalty spot and the forward’s first time volley hit the inside of the far post and bounced in, leaving Harpreet Singh helpless.
Four minutes later, Bengal could’ve doubled their lead, with what may well have been a contender for goal of the season. Midfielder Tanmoy Ghosh — who was the main lynchpin for his side — collected the ball 30 yards out, looked up and unleashed a superb shot, destined for the top corner, only for a diving Harpreet to palm it on to the crossbar and safety. It was an acrobatic piece of goalkeeping sure to be one of the highlights of the tournament.
The save gave Punjab the impetus and thrust they had been lacking all game, and soon they started creating chances of their own. In the 75th minute, Rohit Sheikh’s chipped ball found Jaginder Singh just outside the box, facing the goal. The U21 player collected the ball perfectly and then unleashed a curling shot, only to be denied by a diving Priyant in the West Bengal goal.
As the minutes ticked by, both teams got more desperate, Punjab pouring forward in numbers, and West Bengal packing bodies to defend their slender lead. With the last minute came the final bit of drama. Sheikh was again at the centre of it, crossing perfectly from the left, to set up Akashdeep Singh inside the box. The forward had the goal at his mercy, the defenders and the goalkeeper beaten. Unfortunately, he couldn’t control his shot, or the pass, slicing wide, and falling to the grass in despair. West Bengal held on to ensure they had a winning start to the tournament.
FT: West Bengal 1-0 Punjab
Credits: AIFF Media
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read: RoundGlass Punjab edge past TRAU to prolong winning streak
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
Feature / Interviews / Santosh Trophy
Arif Shaikh reflects on Maharashtra’s performance in Hero Santosh Trophy campaign
Arif Shaikh, the striker for Maharashtra in the Hero Santosh Trophy, in an exclusive chat with us speaks about his team’s performance in the campaign, his experience playing under coach…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Defender Hardik Bhatt joins Mumbai City FC
Rajasthan United right-back Hardik Bhatt has reportedly joined Mumbai City FC on a loan deal for the rest of the season. According to reports, the deal involves a loan fee…
Mumbai Kenkre stun league leaders with late-winner
Mumbai Kenkre FC’s wait for their first points of the new year came to an end with a stunning 2-1 victory over Sreenidi Deccan FC at the Cooperage Stadium in…
MFA Elite Division Roundup: KSA maintains lead; India Rush earns first win of the season
The MFA Elite Division saw a flurry of action over the past couple of days, with several teams securing vital wins to keep their hopes of a top-three finish alive….
Kenkre FC strengthens defense with signing of Uzbekistan centre-back Samandar Ochilov
Mumbai-based Kenkre FC have announced the signing of Uzbekistan centre-back Samandar Ochilov for the remainder of the 2022/23 season. The 27-year-old defender brings a wealth of experience to the team,…
Lenny Rodrigues returns to FC Goa, Glan Martins leaves on loan
Goa, January 24, 2023: FC Goa have completed the signing of Lenny Rodrigues from fellow Hero Indian Super League (ISL) side ATK Mohun Bagan, the Club can confirm. The midfielder…
ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa agree swap deal for midfielders
ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa have reportedly agreed to a swap deal for midfielders Glan Martins and Lenny Rodriguez The exact opposite deal happened in January 2021 when Lenny…
Hero Super Cup / Indian Super League
Kerala to host Hero Super Cup in April
NEW DELHI: The 2022-23 Hero Super Cup, featuring 16 teams in the Group Stage, will take place from April 8-25, 2023, in Kerala. Two of the three cities among Kochi, Kozhikode…
India U-17 / Indian Women’s Football Team
A tale of two footballers and their fight against gender bias
CHENNAI: Sonali Soren is certainly not a showstopper, who will force people to take a break and wait eagerly to follow her next movement. She is a simple young girl with…
MFA Roundup: Late Goals, Comebacks and Table Shuffling
A late goal helps Atlanta FC keep the winning streak intact, Silver Innings pick 2nd win of campaign, and PIFA secure a stunning come from behind win. Ambernath United Atlanta…
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…
Elite Division / MDFA / 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…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
Millat FC to hold trials for MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season Millat had a decent run in…
Elite Division / MDFA / Trials
MFA Elite Division club KSA to conduct trials for the upcoming season
Karnataka Sporting Association (KSA) – a club plying their trade in MFA Elite Division will be conducting open trials for their upcoming 2022-23 season Last season KSA had an amazing…
3rd Division / MDFA / Trials
Young Guns Football Acadmey to conduct trials for their upcoming MFA 3rd Division Campaign
MFA 3rd Division club Young Guns Football Academy will be conducting open trials on October 9th for their upcoming season in Mumbai Football Young Guns Football Academy was founded in…
OSCAR SSE to conduct trials for Youth I League and YPL team in the U13 category in Mumbai
Mumbai-based OSCAR SSE will conduct trials for their Youth I League and YPL team on 16th and 17th July 2022 at Wings Sports Centre ground. Oscar SSE is a 2-star…