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Played
August 8, 2010 5:00 PM IST
August 8, 2010 5:00 PM IST
Santosh Trophy Final Preview: Bengal - Punjab
And here comes the final...........
By Rahul Sengupta
Time: 1700 IST, 8th August 2010
Venue: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
Breaking The Jinx?
Bengal has by far been the most successful team in Santosh Trophy history having won the coveted title 29 times. However the 30th crown has been elusive for 11 years now and they have finished runners-up in the last two editions, losing on penalties on both occasions.
The entire Bengal squad is on a high on after defeating Goa on Friday evening in a dramatic semi-final clash.
However coach Shabbir Ali will surely not underestimate Punjab who have been playing some fine attacking football with striker Balwant Singh in fine form. The Bengal tactician is also concerned with the rising list of injured players which is hampering the team combination.
Three In Four Years?
Punjab coach Jaagir Singh has been at the helm of affairs for the last five years. Having won two Santosh Trophy titles in 07 and 08, he will be looking to make it three in four years.
After cruising past Tamil Nadu in the semis all eyes will be on the Punjabi lads as they take on hosts Bengal in the final. Coach Jaagir Singh is quite upbeat about the tie and has total faith in his boys.
Punjab held a light training session on Saturday morning and gave a lot of importance to set pieces. Defenders Ravinder Singh and Harpreet Singh will hold the key for Punjab’s success.
Form Guide
Bengal
Bengal (4) 1 – 1 (3) Goa
Bengal 1 – 2 Tamil Nadu
Bengal 7 – 1 Mizoram
Punjab
Punjab 3 – 1 Tamil Nadu
Punjab 1 – 0 Services
Punjab 0 – 3 Goa
Team News
Bengal
Striker Nilendra Dewan is ruled out with a knee injury while ONGC forward Tarif Ahmed is also a doubtful starter following his injury in the calf muscle.
Punjab
Punjab will miss defender Gurpreet Singh who has been ruled out due to suspension. New East Bengal signing Gurwinder Singh will replace him.
Key Players
Bengal – Jayanta Sen
The talismanic midfielder of Chirag United has played a vital role in Bengal's road to the final. Another top performance will be necessary for Bengal to win the tournament.
Punjab – Balwant Singh
The JCT striker, who was a part of India's 2009 SAFF Cup winning team, has been the star for Punjab in their Santosh Trophy campaign. He will be looking to continue his good form in the final.
Key Areas
The Bengal defence has been shaky in each of their four matches so Punjab will be looking to expose that weakness.
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Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
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West Bengal 1-2 Punjab
- 23.08 %
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West Bengal 2-1 Punjab
- 15.39 %
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West Bengal 0-0 Punjab
- 15.39 %
| India - Santosh Trophy (INST) | 08-Aug-2010 | West Bengal 2 - Punjab 1 |
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| India - Santosh Trophy (INST) | 05-Jun-2009 | Punjab 0 - West Bengal 0 |
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West Bengal
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| 08-Aug-2010 | West Bengal 2 - Punjab 1 | INST |
| 06-Aug-2010 | Goa 3 - West Bengal 4 | INST |
| 05-Jun-2009 | Punjab 0 - West Bengal 0 | INST |
| 03-Jun-2009 | Manipur 0 - West Bengal 0 | INST |
| 01-Jun-2009 | West Bengal 0 - Tamilnadu 0 | INST |
Punjab
  |
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| 08-Aug-2010 | West Bengal 2 - Punjab 1 | INST |
| 06-Aug-2010 | Tamil Nadu 1 - Punjab 3 | INST |
| 05-Jun-2009 | Punjab 0 - West Bengal 0 | INST |
| 03-Jun-2009 | Tamilnadu 0 - Punjab 0 | INST |
| 01-Jun-2009 | Punjab 0 - Manipur 0 | INST |
| 1 | Abhra Mondal | Goalkeeper |
| 16 | Arnab Mondal | Defender |
| 6 | Sheikh Azim | Defender |
| 7 | Denson Devadas | Midfielder |
| 19 | Jayanta Sen | Midfielder |
| 11 | Snehashish Chakraborty | Midfielder |
| 23 | Rajiv Ghosh | Defender |
| 6 | Dhanarajan R | Midfielder |
| 30 | Gauranga Dutta | Striker |
| - | Tarif Ahmed | Striker |
| 23 | Robin Singh | Striker |
| 24 | Sandip Nandy | Goalkeeper |
| 31 | Somnath Khara | Goalkeeper |
| 5 | Habibur Rehman Mondal | Defender |
| 29 | Anupam Sarkar | Midfielder |
| 9 | Nilendra Dewan | Striker |
| 14 | Souvik Chakrabarty | Midfielder |
| 23 | Safar Sardar | Defender |
| - | ROHIT KUMAR | |
| 1 | PARAMJIT SINGH | Goalkeeper |
| 24 | Maninder Singh | Midfielder |
| 3 | Ravinder Singh | Defender |
| 23 | Rahul Kumar | Midfielder |
| 4 | Ramandeep Singh | Defender |
| 13 | Gurpreet Singh | Midfielder |
| 26 | Randeep Singh | Midfielder |
| 16 | Gurwinder Sungh | Defender |
| 33 | Balwant Singh | Striker |
| 33 | Balraj Singh | Striker |
| 21 | BHUPINDER SINGH | Defender |
| 29 | Harpreet Singh | Midfielder |
| 7 | HARSHDEEP SINGH | Midfielder |
| 11 | AMANDEEP BATRA | Striker |
| 14 | Parveen Kumar | Striker |
| 15 | WARUNDEEP SINGH | Defender |
Match News