Bengal face a tough situation before the knockout stage, as they complete a 1-1 draw against Assam. Sanjay Sen’s cadets couldn’t secure the lead even after staying at a three-point advantage.
Coach Sanjay Sen sought a victory but decided to rest key players like Rabi Hansda and Uttam Hansda. Bengal started aggressively and missed several early opportunities to take the lead. Akash Hembram finally broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute with a clinical finish. This goal allowed Bengal to head into the halftime break with a 1-0 advantage. Bengal entered their fifth Santosh Trophy group match against Assam after a 1-1 draw with Tamil Nadu.
Assam returned with much more intensity in the second half. They missed a major chance to equalise in the 51st minute when a striker failed to beat the goalkeeper. Bengal nearly doubled their lead in the 57th minute, but the Assam goalkeeper made a brilliant save. Assam continued to press and hit the crossbar in the 78th minute. Their persistence paid off in the 82nd minute when Rituraj converted a penalty to level the score.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving Bengal at the top of the group with 11 points. Despite qualifying for the knockouts, the performance raised several concerns for the coaching staff. The defence appeared vulnerable, and the midfield struggled to maintain control against the opposition. Coach Sanjay Sen must now address these tactical weaknesses before the quarter-finals begin.
