Santosh Trophy: Bengal Beat Rajasthan 2-0, secure quarterfinal spot

In the other Group A match, Jammu and Kashmir drew with Manipur 1-1. Bengal, 32-time champions, accumulated nine points from three matches

Hyderabad: West Bengal beat Rajasthan 2-0 to secure their spot in the quarterfinals of the 78th Senior National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy at Deccan Arena on Wednesday.

In the other Group A match, Jammu and Kashmir drew with Manipur 1-1. Bengal, 32-time champions, accumulated nine points from three matches. Manipur have seven points from three, while Jammu & Kashmir earned their first point of the final round.

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Bengal scored on either side of the half-time break through Rabilal Mandi (45th) and Naro Hari Shrestha (56th). Manipur, who came into the match on the back of wins against defending champions Services and Rajasthan, took the lead through Naoroibam Romen Singh (45+2′) before Aakif Javaid equalized for J&K in second-half injury time.

Results: Jammu & Kashmir 1 (Aakif Javaid 90+1’) drew with Manipur 1 (Naoroibam Romen Singh 45+2’), Rajasthan 0 lost to West Bengal 2 (Rabilal Mandi 45’, Naro Hari Shrestha 56’).