Hyderabad, Dec 31 (NationPress) A decisive goal netted from a very close range by Robi Hansda in the dying moments of the match ensured that West Bengal secured the highly sought-after National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy after a seven-year absence, overcoming Kerala with a score of 1-0 in the final held at the Gachibowli Stadium on Tuesday. This victory signifies West Bengal's 33rd championship title in the National Football Championship, and the emotional upliftment from this win was palpable as players celebrated by kissing and embracing the trophy.
Hansda, a talented striker, scored his 12th goal in the tournament’s 78th edition, dramatically altering the course of the final match. His jubilant celebration, which included removing his shirt, resulted in him receiving a yellow card.
Despite this, Hansda's remarkable performance earned him two prestigious individual accolades – the Tulsidas Balaram Player of the Match award and the Peter Thangaraj Player of the Tournament award. His consistent excellence throughout the tournament made it nearly impossible to consider any other player for these honors. As the match neared a conclusion, seemingly heading toward extra time or penalties, Kerala's defense was caught off-guard when striker Manotos Maji directed a header into the box during the 90+4th minute, following a lob from the left.
Kerala defender Adil Amal was left vulnerable as Hansda, strategically positioned just a few yards from goalkeeper Hajmal S, slotted the ball into the net, igniting wild celebrations among the West Bengal bench.
While the match itself may not be remembered fondly, both teams approached the game with caution, failing to truly challenge the opposing goalkeepers. Bengal faced significant challenges due to the absence of their star striker Naro Hari Shrestha, sidelined by injury, which limited their attacking potential. Their strategy relied heavily on crossing from the wings, which proved ineffective against the Kerala defense.
Conversely, Kerala displayed caution but consistently launched counterattacks. However, their attempts at goal were often misguided, featuring speculative shots and low crosses that lacked the necessary precision.
West Bengal's coach Sanjoy Sen expressed his pride in bringing the trophy back to Kolkata after a seven-year wait. "In Bengal, winning the Santosh Trophy is everything. Finishing as runners-up is viewed as a failure. Therefore, I was acutely aware of the pressure but accepted the challenge. We fielded a young team, and they performed exceptionally throughout the tournament. Kudos to my boys for their outstanding efforts," Sanjoy Sen stated according to www.the-aiff.com.
Hansda, who emerged as the top scorer with twelve goals, expressed his joy in winning the trophy for his state. "Scoring the match-winner is a tremendous bonus for me. I dedicate this victory to my father."
