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.