West Bengal, Kerala set for blockbuster Santosh Trophy final showdown

The two states, both regarded as Indian football powerhouses, are no strangers to the pinnacle of the national championships. West Bengal is preparing for a record 47th final, while Kerala is on the brink of playing their 16th summit clash.

Hyderabad: West Bengal and Kerala, two of India’s finest teams with a rich history in the game, will clash in a blockbuster summit showdown of the National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy here on Tuesday.

The two states that have rightfully earned the tags of Indian football hubs are no strangers to the pinnacle of the national championships with West Bengal gearing up for a record 47th final and Kerala standing on the verge of playing their 16th summit clash.

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Both sides have shown form befitting of their stature in the tournament, winning nine of their 10 matches, while drawing one each. Historically, Bengal have dominated at this stage, winning the tournament 32 times, while Kerala are seven-time champions.

In recent years, however, Kerala have had the edge over their eastern rivals, winning the 2017-18 and the 2021-22 titles defeating West Bengal. History, however, has no part to play in the final on New Years’ Eve, believes Bengal head coach Sanjoy Sen.

“Perhaps reaching the (Santosh Trophy) final is an achievement for other states, but that is not the case for us. It means nothing to Bengal – Zero,” he exclaimed.

“Unless we win the trophy, it all counts for nothing. “Yes, we have won the tournament 32 times in the past, but the Santosh Trophy is a much bigger tournament now in terms of the number of states that participate in it. I do not intend to downplay past achievements, but I feel that it is more difficult to win it now,” said Sen.

Sen’s counterpart Biby Thomas Muttath echoed similar expectations from his home state. “The Santosh Trophy is like a World Cup for us, back in Kerala. The minimum expectation is for us to reach the final, but of course, everyone wants a win,” he said.

In the 10 matches so far, Kerala have scored 35 goals, while Bengal netted 27 times. The former have had a number of options for their goals, Naseeb Rahman (8), Muhammad Ajsal (9), and Sajeesh E (5) leading the charts for the southern state.

But then, Kerala players are no strangers to their Bengal counterparts. There are half a dozen players in the current Kerala squad, including the semi-final hat-trick hero Muhammad Roshal PP, who ply their trade in the Kolkata CFL and are known faces in the Maidan circle.

Bengal, however, have been primarily reliant on their front two to finish off their goalscoring opportunities – Robi Hansda (11), and Naro Hari Shrestha (7). Sen, however, had some concern over his side’s over-reliance on the forwards. Despite the clear difference in the areas of the pitch where the two sides have their key players, Biby Thomas felt that it should make for a tightly contested final at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium.