New Delhi: Felix D’Souza’s excellent tournament continued as his saves in the penalty shootout ensured that Goa take the 63rd Santosh Trophy at the expense of 29-time champions West Bengal.
The Sporting Clube De Goa custodian made crucial stops off Safar Sardar and Lal Kamal Bhowmick in the shootout after not conceding a single goal in 660 minutes. For Goa, Climax Lawrence, Beevan D’Mello, John Dias and Fulgancio Cardozo converted from the spot, with Nicholas Rodrigues missing. Snehashish Chakraborty and Lalwampuia were the two players from Bengal who could find the back of the net.
West Bengal made one change in their starting line-up as Rajib Ghosh came in for Habibur Rahman, who had to be hospitalized after the semi-final. Goa named an unchanged starting XI with Joaquim Abranches partnering Marcus Mascarenhas upfront. The match started with West Bengal showing more attacking verve as they moved the ball ahead and tried to probe in the Goan half.
The 29 time champions saw a lot more of the ball in the early stages and looked much better than their performance in the earlier games. Goa were on the back-foot but came on their own as the half progressed.
Nicholas Rodrigues looked lively on the left with his crosses from the left. At the other end, Subho Kumar, who looked the most impressive amongst those plying in the middle of the park, released Snehashish and the left winger found Lalwampuia. The former Mohun Bagan striker couldn’t trap the ball in the best possible manner and the final shot went into the orbit.
Climax Lawrence slipped through and his first time shot lacked the power which made it easy for Subashish Chowdhury. Around the half hour mark, Lalwampuia released Snehashish on the left and the skipper’s cross into the box went wasted. Surajit Bose, on receiving the ball from Snehashish, sent in a weak goalwards shot which was well collect by Felix D’souza.
The best chance of the half, however, fell to Goa as a Wilton Gomes free-kick from the right after a Sheikh Azeem handball saw an unmarked Rowilson Rodrigues at the far post head it wide.
In the second half, Goa started better and coach Mariano Dias introduced Francis Fernandes for an off colour Joaquim Abranches in the 55th minute. A Nicholas Rodrigues cross from the left saw Mahesh Gawli couldn't connect after making a run in the box. West Bengal would have only themselves to blame as Surajit Bose missed an open chance off a deflection which was blocked by Fulgancio at the right moment after the Mahindra United player took too long.
In the 69th minute, Lalwampuia found Snehashish who in turn passed it for Lal Kamal and the final shot from Subho Kumar was way off target despite having a clear sight on goal.
In the final 10 minutes of the regulation time, it was Goa who put pressure and looked to score. Beevan D’Mello and Wilton Gomes combined with the latter’s cross from the right going across the face of the goal as Marcus Mascarenhas was a touch too slow. In the first session of the extra time, a Mahesh Gawli long ball saw Beevan D’Mello surge above Sheikh Azeem to head it over the bar.
The introduction of Kartick Kisku in the 112th minute added some new vigour into the Bengal side as the youngster created a lot of problems from Goa on the right. Lal Kamal released Kisku and the Mohun Bagan player crossed for Lalwampuia, who couldn’t save his best for the opportunity.
Off a short corner, Kisku sent a dangerous ball into the box which was cleared by Rowilson for a corner. It was Felix, who took the game to penalties as he blocked a shot from Lal Kaml Bhowmick, who was on the edge of the 18 yard box.
In the penalties, it was Goa who came out in flying colours and are the winners of the Santosh Trophy.
Penalties Goa: Climax Lawrence, Beevan D’mello, Nicholas (missed), John Dias and Fulgancio Cardozo
West Bengal: Snehashish Chakraborty, Safar Sardar and Lal Kamal Bhowmick (missed), Lalwampuia
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