New Delhi: The West Bengal football club ousted Punjab football club 1-0 in Group A of the 75th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy at the Kottappadi Football Stadium, Malappuram, Kerala, on Saturday, April 16, 2022.
The inaugural match began with West Bengal goalkeeper Priyant Kumar Singh saving Punjab’s Jashandeep Singh free kick in the 8th minute. Punjab failed to score despite possessing the ball.
However, Punjab keeper Harpreet Singh made several saves. Harpreet made his first save when he parried Basu Deb Mandi’s long shot in the 20th minute.
Bengal captain Monotosh Chakladar misjudged the ball that went to Tarun Slathia a few yards outside the box. Though he charged toward Priyant, the ball went wide. The first half ended in a goalless draw.
Bengal took possession in the second half and aggressively charged at the opponents. Bengal’s Sajal Bag drifted wide and made a cross into the box. Footballer Shubham Bhowmick took the ball and hit the end of the post in the 61st minute.
Punjab failed to score in the second half, whereas Bengal won the match 0-1.
The tournament returned after two years. Ten teams will participate in two groups of five teams each. The top two teams from each group will enter the semi-finals on April 28-29.
The final match of the 75th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy will be held on May 2, 2022.
(Avya Mathur)
