Defending champions West Bengal and a quietly efficient Rajasthan continued their winning runs on a dramatic Friday in Group A of the 79th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy Final Round, as late goals, comebacks and missed chances shaped a gripping day of football in Dhakuakhana and Silapathar.
While West Bengal edged past a resilient Uttarakhand 1–0 thanks to a stunning stoppage-time winner, Rajasthan maintained their push for the knockout rounds with a narrow 1–0 victory over Tamil Nadu. Elsewhere, hosts Assam and tournament debutants Nagaland shared the spoils in a pulsating 3–3 draw that kept both sides alive in the group.
At the end of the day’s action, West Bengal and Rajasthan sat at the top of Group A with six points each from two matches, the holders leading on goal difference. Tamil Nadu remained third with three points, while Assam and Nagaland picked up their first points of the final round. Uttarakhand, despite another spirited showing, were still searching for their first result.
Late drama lifts West Bengal
At the Dhakuakhana Football Stadium, West Bengal were made to work hard for their second victory of the campaign against a highly organised Uttarakhand side. For 97 minutes, the 33-time champions found themselves frustrated by a compact Uttarakhand block that denied them space through the middle and forced them into predictable wide play.
Uttarakhand’s tactical approach three at the back, a congested midfield, and quick breaks down the flanks disrupted West Bengal’s rhythm. Skipper Shashank Rana marshalled the defence superbly, while goalkeeper Abhay Bisht dealt confidently with Bengal’s long balls and aerial deliveries.
The visitors even came close to stealing the lead in the 58th minute when Rana’s backward header found Neeraj Bhandari in the box, but West Bengal goalkeeper Somnath Dutta produced a sharp save to keep his side level.
As the game drifted toward a draw, West Bengal finally found the moment of quality they had been missing. Deep into injury time, a long free-kick from Chaku Mandi was headed back into the danger area by Bickey Thapa. Naro Hari Shrestha, introduced as a substitute, showed remarkable composure to chest the ball down, shield it from his marker and unleash a rising right-footed shot that flew into the top left corner.
It was a cruel blow for Uttarakhand, who had defended heroically, but for the champions it was a reminder of their ability to find a way even when things are not going their way.
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Over in Silapathar, Rajasthan once again proved their growing maturity with a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Tamil Nadu. Although the scoreline was tight, the result underlined Rajasthan’s ability to stay compact, absorb pressure and strike when the opportunity arises.
Tamil Nadu controlled possession for long spells, with Devadath S and Henry Joseph Immanuel both coming close in the first half. However, Rajasthan goalkeeper Mohit Sikhwal stood firm, making a series of key saves to keep his side in the game.
The pattern continued after the break, but Rajasthan slowly began to grow into the contest. Their patience was rewarded in the 78th minute when Ishan Rozario burst down the right and delivered a teasing cross that bypassed the Tamil Nadu defence. Mohammed Adnan, arriving late into the box, placed a composed finish into the bottom corner to secure all three points.
It was Rajasthan’s second consecutive win, lifting them to six points and keeping them firmly in the hunt for a knockout berth.
Assam and Nagaland share a thriller
The day’s most entertaining contest unfolded in Dhakuakhana, where hosts Assam and Nagaland played out a six-goal thriller that reflected both teams’ attacking intent and defensive vulnerabilities.
Nagaland struck first through Laiwang Bohham in the 27th minute, but Assam responded before the break when Didwm Hazowary finished off a flowing move to make it 1–1. The visitors regained the lead early in the second half when Ayenmongba capitalised on a defensive error, only for Assam to hit back again through substitute Akrang Narzary.
The hosts then took the lead for the first time in the 76th minute as Timothi Narzary fired home after sustained pressure, sending the home crowd into celebration. But Nagaland refused to fold, and in the 82nd minute Ato Chophi rose unmarked to head in an equaliser following a clever diagonal ball into the box.
The 3–3 draw gave both teams their first point of the final round and ensured that Group A remains finely balanced heading into the next set of fixtures.
With West Bengal and Rajasthan setting the pace and the chasing pack still very much alive, the Santosh Trophy Final Round is shaping up for an enthralling finish.
