Source: The Sangai Express
Chennai, June 14 2009:
Felix D'Souza's excellent tournament continued as his saves in the penalty shootout ensured that Goa take the 63rd Santosh Trophy at the expense of 29 time champions West Bengal.
The Sporting Clube De Goa custodian made crucial stops off Safar Sardar and Lal Kamal Bhowmick in the shootout after not conceding a single goal in 660 minutes.
For Goa, Climax Lawrence, Beevan D'Mello, John Dias and Fulgancio Cardozo converted from the spot, with Nicholas Rodrigues missing.
Snehashish Chakraborty and Lalwampuia were the two players from Bengal who could find the back of the net.
West Bengal made one change in their starting line-up as Rajib Ghosh came in for Habibur Rahman, who had to be hospitalized after the semi-final.
Goa named an unchanged starting XI with Joaquim Abranches partnering Marcus Mascarenhas upfront.
The match started with West Bengal showing more attacking verve as they moved the ball ahead and tried to probe in the Goan half.
The 29 time champions saw a lot more of the ball in the early stages and looked much better than their performance in the earlier games.
Goa were on the back-foot but came on their own as the half progressed.
Nicholas Rodrigues looked lively on the left with his crosses from the left.
At the other end, Subho Kumar, who looked the most impressive amongst those plying in the middle of the park, released Snehashish and the left winger found Lalwampuia.
The former Mohun Bagan striker couldn't trap the ball in the best possible manner and the final shot went into the orbit.
Climax Lawrence slipped through and his first time shot lacked the power which made it easy for Subashish Chowdhury.
Around the half hour mark, Lalwampuia released Snehashish on the left and the skipper's cross into the box went wasted.
Surajit Bose, on receiving the ball from Snehashish, sent in a weak goalwards shot which was well collect by Felix D'souza.
The best chance of the half, however, fell to Goa as a Wilton Gomes free-kick from the right after a Sheikh Azeem handball saw an unmarked Rowilson Rodrigues at the far post head it wide.
In the penalties, it was Goa who came out in flying colours and are the winners of the Santosh Trophy.