32-time winners Bengal book 52nd semifinal in Santosh Trophy
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West Bengal have booked a spot in the semifinals of the Santosh Trophy for the 52nd time. Two late goals helped Bengal down Odisha 3-1 in the quarterfinals at the Deccan Arena in Hyderabad on Thursday.
Bengal are a record 32-time winners of the Santosh Trophy. They also finished runners-up on 14 occasions.
Odisha had made a great start, with Rakesh Oram putting them in front in the 25th minute. Bengal equalised through Narohari Shrestha at the stroke of half time before Robi Hansda (77) and substitute Manotos Maji (90+2) ensured victory for Sanjoy Sen’s side.
Bengal were wasteful in the final third and had to wait until the 77th minute when Hansda's left-foot volley got them in front. It was the striker's ninth goal of the campaign. Maji's strike in injury time came from a counter-attack.