Santosh Trophy: Kerala edge Bengal in shootout to emerge champions

Kerala were crowned champions of the 75th Santosh Trophy at the Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri, Malappuram on Monday after a thrilling win in a penalty shootout.

At the end of a dramatic final, Kerala edged West Bengal 5-4. The match was tied 1-1 after extra time.  

Substitute Sajal Bag had missed Bengal's second spot kick while Kerala converted all five to triumph.

It was Kerala's seventh Santosh Trophy.

Earlier, Kerala had crawled their way back with a 116th minute equaliser to force penalties after Bengal had taken the lead in the first half of extra time.

Dilip Orawn had thought he had won it for Bengal, but Muhammed Safnad stepped up to head in a late equaliser as the home crowd went berserk.

Bengal defence spearheaded by skipper Monotosh Chakladar crumbled in the last four minutes of extra-time.

With Kerala forcing a shootout, the pressure was on the visitors. However, barring the second kick from Bag, every other attempt from the spot was converted by both set of players.

The last time Kerala had lifted a Santosh Trophy on home soil was in 1993. Back then, Kerala had defeated Maharashtra 2-0 in the final that was played at the Maharaja's College Ground in Ernakulam.