Bhubaneswar is a well-known stand of Bengal in front of the northeastern powerhouse. Bengal lost 4-1 to Manipur in Santosh Trophy football and was on the way out. They are sixth in Group B with one point from three games with two losses and one draw. Bengal, who won the title 32 times, did not just win the remaining two games. Delhi edged the semi-finalists 1-1 with an injury time goal. Railways and Meghalaya share a goalless draw. In a game where the possibility of semi-finals will fade away if they lose, Bengal lost in front of the team power of Manipur. The diamond weapon of Manipur was fast. Manipur took the lead in the 11th minute through Pangbum Navoba Meitei. Never gave up the game again. Subhash Singh scored the second goal before the break. In the second half, Souvik Kar doubled for Bengal but it didn’t matter. Bengal coach, former Indian captain Biswajit Bhattacharya’s tactics did not work. Bengal defender Biswajit Hemporom’s mistake goal put Manipur back in front. Finally, in injury time, last game’s hat-trick hero Navocha Singh sealed the victory. Manipur is second with six points. Bengal is the best team ever in Santosh Trophy. Played finals 45 times. They were the runners-up last time. Services, who could secure the semis if they win against Delhi, were hit by PP Shafeel’s mistake in injury time. Christopher Kame’s penalty was the first to take the lead. Services topped the table with seven points. Apart from Shafeel, there are Malayalees Amal Das, Adarsh Mattummal, Jijo Geron and B Sunil in the team. Read on deshabhimani.com
