Heavyweights West Bengal would look to annex their 33rd title when they take on hosts Kerala in the final of the 75th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy in Malappuram, Kerala on Monday. (More Football News)
It will be the eastern State's 46th final overall, and they will enter this contest asꦓ favourites, owing to their outstanding record in th♈e tournament since its start in 1941.
However, Bengal are expected to facꦑe a tough test from an in-f♛orm Kerala outfit.
Kerala defeated West Bengal in the first round, and Bino George's men will 🍒once again fancy their chances against the most successful team in the history of the tour🍨nament.
But West Bengal will look to settle the scores by winning this fixture. They will also be looking to avenge their 2018 Hero Santosh Trophy final defeat, which they lost in penalties after the game ended in a stalemate at the🐷 end of regulation time.
Last time the two teams played, the score was locked at 0-0 at the hour mark. Thereafter, Bengal goalie Priyant Singh faced a barrage of shots a💯nd was deceived in the 84th minute by Noufal while Jesin Thonikkara found the back of the net in the injury time.
However, Ranjaꦓn Bhattacharjee's men bounced back ൩from the said loss by winning the remainder of the group stage games.
They♈ qualified for the all-important final by recording a massive 3-0 win over a lacklustre Manipur side in the semifinal on Friday. Sujit Singh, Mohammed Fardin 🃏Ali Molla and Dilip Orawn were on the target as they downed Manipur with utmost ease.
"The matc🥂h between Kerala and West Bengal will be exciting, and I hope fans will tune in," Wesꦫt Bengal coach Bhattacherjee said ahead of the game.
"Tomorro🗹w's game will be a competitive contest, and the team that can convert their opportunities more during the first and second halves will take the Hero Santosh Trophy home," he added.
Asked about the injury concerns, Bhattacharjee stated, "The West Bengal team is absolutely fit an🎉d active."
Keral𒈔a, on the other hand, thrashed Karnataka 7-3 in the semifinal to secure a spot in the title clash.
Jesin TK, scored an astounding five goals for the six-time champions, while Shighil and Arjun Jayaraj each scored onꦿe goa🎃l each.
Kerala won three games in the firs꧑t round while played out a 2-2 draw with Meghalaya.
"We will play West Bengal in the final game of the ꧋2021-22 Hero Santosh Trophy tomorrow. So, the aforementioned game is crucial for us, and we will consider it as a do-or-die match," Padinjarathala remarked.
"I want to beat Bengal tomorrow and bring the trophy home for our fans, who have been supportive throughout the tourꦰnament," he concluded.
