Bengal, Kerala off to impressive starts

Kolkata, March 19: Bengal began their title defence with a 3- 0 win over Manipur, while Kerala hammered Chandigarh 5- 1 on the opening day of the national football championship for the 72nd Santosh Trophy here on Monday.

Bengal, 32- time champions, were aggressive from the beginning as Sumit Das struck twice ( 6th minute, 15th) to have them ahead at the break at the Howrah Stadium.

Das scored his first off a corner from the rebound and headed in nine minutes later.

Bidyasagar Singh netted the third for Bengal in the 82nd minute, capitalising on a poor clearance from the Manipur defence. The midfielder’s shot capped off a fine move by Sujay Dutta.

Bengal goalkeeper Ranojit Majumdar also distinguished himself, thwarting Manipur’s swift counter attacks to ensure a clean slate for his side.

In the other Group A fixture of the day, Jithin M. S. struck a brace ( 11th and 51st) as five- time champions Kerala toyed with Chandigarh’s defence at the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium.

Sajith Poulose struck in the 18th, while the other two goals for Kerala were scored by Afdal V. K. ( 49th) and substitute Sreekuttan V. S. ( 77th).

Vishal Sharma ( 88th) struck the consolation goal for Chandigarh.

The southern outfit broke the deadlock when Seesan S. sent a through ball for right winger Jithin, who received the ball on the edge of the box and promptly scored.