Bengal’s Santosh Trophy campaign ended in disappointment as the defending champions were knocked out in the quarterfinals by Services on penalties. Sanjoy Sen’s side went down 3–2 in the tie-breaker after a goalless draw in regulation and extra time.
It was a night marked by poor finishing, sloppy football, and missed chances problems that ultimately proved fatal. Even two crucial saves by substitute goalkeeper Gaurab Shaw in the shootout could not prevent Bengal’s exit.
Sanjoy Sen had anticipated a tough contest. Services had scraped through the group stage and then stunned Kerala to reach the quarterfinals. A team that survives like that often becomes dangerous—and Bengal found that out the hard way.
From the opening minutes, Services pressed aggressively and unsettled Bengal. Bengal’s first real chance arrived in the 19th minute through a move down the left flank, but it failed to produce a goal. In midfield, Tanmay Das and Chaku Mandi struggled to assert control. Loose passes and poor ball retention repeatedly handed momentum to Services.
Just before halftime, Services found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. The first half ended scoreless, though Bengal looked far from comfortable.
In the second half, Sen brought on Bijoy Murmu in place of Akash Hembrom to inject pace on the wings. While that change brought some movement, Services stayed compact at the back. Ravi looked increasingly isolated up front.
Bengal stayed in the game largely because of goalkeeper Somnath Dutta, who made several timely interventions off his line. However, the moment that summed up Bengal’s night came in the dying minutes of regulation time. Ravi’s low cross from the right beat the entire Services defence. Sayan Bandyopadhyay arrived unmarked at the far post, with the goal wide open. Shockingly, he blasted the ball over the bar.
Extra time followed the same pattern. Services attacked relentlessly, and Bengal survived through desperate defending. At the 100-minute mark, Chaku Mandi made a crucial goal-line clearance that could have ended the contest. Services’ poor finishing, combined with Bengal’s last-ditch defence, kept the score level.
Ahead of the shootout, Bengal replaced Somnath with Gaurab Shaw. The move nearly paid off. Gaurab saved two penalties. But Bengal’s shooters failed him. Chaku Mandi and Karan Rai missed early, and when Narhari Shrestha failed to convert the final kick, the outcome was sealed.
Services won the tie-breaker 3–2. Bengal’s dream of defending the Santosh Trophy was over undone by missed chances, lack of composure, and a night when nothing went right in front of goal.
