AIFF Media Team
LUDHIANA: West Bengal and Mizoram continued their winning streak in Day 5 of the 69th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy, as the former defeated Maharashtra 2-1 in Group A, while the later registered a narrow 1-0 win over Kerala in Group B.
Both, West Bengal and Mizoram with these wins sit pretty atop of their respective Groups. (As of March 5, 2015)
The clash between West Bengal and Maharashtra, in Group A, witnessed a tightly contested affair as both teams strived hard for the win.
West Bengal started the proceedings on an offensive note and made constant raids on Maharashtra’s defence, although to no avail.
West Bengal’s constant efforts on goal were awarded in the 38th minute, when Raja Das headed home the first goal of the game.
A resurgent Maharashtra contingent tried to equalize their deficit before half-time, but could not capitalize on their chances.
At the interval, the score-line reflected 1-0 in favor of West Bengal.
Maharashtra continued their dominance over West Bengal even after the first forty five minutes and created some gilt-edged chances.
Fortune finally smiled on Maharashtra in the 48th minute, when Shabaz Pathan bundled home his chance, equalizing their deficit in the process.
With scores tied, both sides fought vigorously for the win and an end-to-end affair commenced in search of a winning goal.
In the 78th minute, Raja Das latched onto a ball and headed home, his and West Bengal’s second of the match.
The dying minutes of the match witnessed all out attack initiated by the Maharashtra contingent, but their chances were displaced by the guile of West Bengal’s defence, who held on to a narrow 2-1 win.
In Group B, Mizoram registered a narrow 1-0 win over Kerala.
After a goalless first half, Mizoram stepped up their ante and in the 63rd minute F.Lalrinpuia cashed in on his chance by rocketing the ball into the back of the net.
A Mizoram side flaunting defensive solidity held on to this narrow margin and registered their second win of the tournament.
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