Kerala, Bengal set up thrilling Santosh Trophy final

Reigning champions Bengal will have to contend with five-time winners Kerala in their quest for yet another national football title as the two heavyweights clash in the final of the Santosh Trophy at the Saltlake Stadium, here tomorrow.

The 32-time champions Bengal, who ousted Karnataka in a nervy semifinal, will also look to avenge their group stage defeat against Kerala.

Bengal veteran duo of Jiten Murmu and Tirthankar Sarkar scored against Karnataka to set up a meeting with Kerala who pipped Mizoram 1-0 in the other semifinal.

Kerala have emerged the overwhelming favourites at the tournament but face their biggest test against a Bengal team which knows all about them, having faced the Southern outfit earlier in a redundant Group A game.

Kerala managed a 1-0 win in the meeting at Mohun Bagan Ground but Bengal Head Coach Ranjan Chowdhury feels the final clash is a different game altogether.

Bengal, who will carry the advantage of playing at home, have built their success around a solid defence that has only conceded two goals so far in the tournament, while they relied heavily on quality of Jiten Murmu at the other end.

There is absolutely no pressure on the team. The team has confidence in it's ability to win the final against Kerala, Chowdhury said.

Speaking about the opponents he said, "Kerala is a very strong and organised team. They are very strong defensively and got many talented players. Whoever wins tomorrow needs to earn the trophy by playing well."