Source: Hueiyen News Service
Chennai, June 14 2009:
The experienced Goan side finally broke the jinx as they defeated West Bengal 4-2 in the penalty shootout during the finals of the 63rd National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy at, the Nehru Stadium, Chennai, on Sunday.
After both the teams failed to find the back of the net in the relegated time and in the added extra time the match went into the penalty shootout where Goa emerged victorious.
For Goa, Climax Lawrence, Beevan D'Mello, John Dias and Fulgancio Cardozo found the back of the net, while Nicholas Rodrigues kick at the far post had Snehasish diving and saving it.
For Bengal Snehasish Chakraborthy and Lalwmpuia scored while Safar Sarkar and Lalkamal Bhowmick hit straight into the hands of the Felix D Souza.
Both the teams played an attacking game right from the start and the custodians were kept busy under the bar.
In the 6th minute Goa got a free kick but Fulgancio Cardozo header was wide.
Three minutes later Goa was back in action as Joaquim Abranches shot was blocked by Azim.
Goa kept on attacking and in the 12th minute Marcos cross from the left flank was cleared off safely by the West Bengal defence.
With regular threats made at Bengal den, the 29 times champion got their acts together and skipper Snehasish Chakraborthy took the charge and made some good moves from the left flanks.
In the 20th minute Snehasish cross had Lalawmpuia shooting over the bar and after that regular shots were taken at but not a single shot was at target.
With match entering into lemon break it was Bengal that had better ball possession as they played with short passes and managed to intrude into the Goa box at their will.
The start of the second half was no different as Goa started on an attacking note and in the 52nd minute Joaquim cross from the left had Beevan shot being blocked by his own teammate inside the box.
Six minute later Beevan sent in a cross for Mahesh Gawli but before the latter could connect it Bengal defender cleared it.
West Bengal relied more on counter attacks as in the 63rd minute Puia cross had Surojit shot being blocked by the Goa defenders.
Five minutes later Bengal strikers and midfielders worked in tandem as Snehashish cross to Puia had the striker entering into the box and passing the ball to Lal Kamal Bhowmick who set it for an unmarked Subho Kumar, who shot off target.
As the match progressed both the teams tried hard but failed to find the back of the net and as a result the match entered into the penalty shootout where the Goa were better off Bengal.