Bengal’s substitutes deliver in pivotal 2-0 win over Chhattisgarh

by Chittu Shetty January 14, 2023

A second-half brace from Naro Shrestha ensured West Bengal walk away with a 2-0 victory over resilient Chhattisgarh in the evening fixture of Matchday 4 of the Hero Santosh Trophy.

Playing their 4th game in 8 days, Bengal Coach rested some of his key players in Rakesh Dhara, Surajit Hansda, and Captain Naro Shrestha on the bench.

The match began evenly with Bengal looking good on the ball but not threatening enough. Chhattisgarh held on well, but the first big chance of the match came in the 18th minute when Bengal’s star winger Deepak Rajak made a driving run from the left wing before sending a looping cross into the box. Robi Hansda made the run and connected well, but couldn’t keep his shot down as the ball sailed over the bar.

In the 22nd minute, Chhattisgarh came close when midfielder Bamiya Samad sent in a cross from the left wing that Susnata Malik tipped over just in time before the Chhattisgarh forward could arrive.

Bengal went close again in the 36th minute when Deepak Rajak made a driving run down the left flank before crossing it across where Vivek Singh’s strike at the far post brought a goal-line clearance by Somnath Das. The first half ended goalless with both teams unable to break the deadlock.

In the second half, Bengal coach Santanu Gosh brought in Naro Shrestha, Surajit Hansda, and Surajit Seal in search of goals and the substitutes delivered immediately.

In the 58th minute, Deepak found Tarak inside the box who set up Naro for a shot. The striker did not disappoint his team with a clinical finish to break the deadlock. In the 68th minute, there was an attack from the right flank where Surajit Hansda set up an unmarked Naro Shrestha in the box and the latter slotted it into the net to make it 2-0. Bengal looked in full control for the rest of the time as the match ended 2-0.

Bengal regained the top position in group IV and now faces their last group game against fellow contenders Maharashtra. Expect an enticing game against full-house home support for Maharashtra on Sunday evening.

FT: West Bengal (Naro Shrestha 58′, 68′) 2 – 0 Chhattisgarh

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