Goa, Bengal to meet in Santosh Trophy final

Bambolim (Goa) March 23 (IANS) Hosts Goa beat Kerala 2-1 in the second semi-final of the 71st national football championship for the Santosh Trophy to set up their summit clash with Bengal after the latter prevailed over Mizoram 6-5 in sudden death in the first semi here on Thursday.

For Goa Liston Colaco scored a first-half brace with Rahul Raj pulling one back in the 61st minute.

In the other last-four clash both Bengal and Mizoram could not break each other down in regulation and extra time with the tie going into penalty shootouts. After the tie-breaker also ended 4-4 the 31-time champions eedged past the former champions 6-5 in sudden death.

This was Bengal s 44th final after Moirangthem Basanta found the net and Lalbiakhlua s shot was saved by Sankar Roy.

In the penalty shootout Lalrammawia Rammawia substitute Ramfangzauva Lalrammuanpuia and Lalalrinchhana Rcha were on target for the highlanders while Fialmuanawma Muanawma s shot was saved by the rival goalkeeper.

Santu Singh Manvir Singh Samad Ali Mallick and Mumtaz Akhtar found the net for the winners. Substitute Monotosh Chakladar s shot came off the post.

--IANS
dm/tri/vm