Kolkata, Aug 4 (IANS) Tamil Nadu stunned 29-time champions West Bengal 2-1 here Wednesday but both teams made it to the semifinals of the 64th Santosh Trophy football tournament. The match was held up for 25 minutes in the second half due to a power cut.
In fact, both teams were through to the last four from
quarterfinal group B even before the kick off, as the day’s first game of the group saw Delhi finish goalless against Mizoram.
After the hosts opened up a 1-0 lead through striker Nilendra Dewan in the 16th minute, V.R. Murugappan restored parity for Tamil Nadu soon after.
Late in the second session of the floodlit game, P.C. Riju struck the winner for the southern state who topped Group B and would now take on Punjab Friday for a place in the Aug 8 final.
Bengal, on the other hand, would have to face title holders Goa in the semifinals.
Bengal drew first blood when Dewan unleashed a rasping right footer following medio Jayanta Sen’s centre.
Within a few seconds, Tamil Nadu levelled as Murugappan found the mark.
The hosts had only themselves to blame for the loss, as they squandered at least three chances with Dewan and Shankar Oraon being the culprits.
The visitors counter-attacked and got their winner 11 minutes from time with Riju playing wall with substitute M. Elamurugan, and then dodging past rival custodian Sandip Nandy to put the ball in.
