Bengal, Goa come to the party, finally

The folk music blaring from the speakers at the Bakshi Stadium today was perhaps a desperate attempt to banish yesterday’s events from public memory.

The folk music blaring from the speakers at the Bakshi Stadium today was perhaps a desperate attempt to banish yesterday’s events from public memory. This approach, though, could not disguise the bunches of policemen, bringing out in stark contrast the decrease in spectators.

Here’s what they missed: a dominant 4-1 performance by 29-time champions Bengal as they despatched Karnataka with ease, and Goa’s better-late-than-never 2-0 victory over Maharashtra.

Bengal’s goal-fest, though, hides the many chances their forwards had a tendency to send towards the heavens, ensuring the tie would remain goalless right till the end of the first half. Precisely then, out popped Bengal’s Asim Biswas to end the equality in injury time, grabbing hold of a free kick by skipper Jayant Sen.

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Gauranga Datta and Syed Rahim Nabi added more numbers to Bengal’s side of the scoreboard, and substitute Tarif Ahmad provided the final flourish. Xavier Vijayakumar’s consolation goal in the 77th minute didn’t change things.

Bengal now have four points from two matches, while Karnataka stay at three.

Maharashtra thought they had a lead to celebrate in the 37th minute of their match against Goa, but Kailash Mahadev Patil was ruled offside. Then as soon as the last 45 minutes got underway, Goa’s Freddy Mascarenhas gave the opposing defence a wake-up call with a long-ranger.

This was a match screaming out for a goal, and it finally came in the 80th minute — John Dias escaping the defenders with a shot right through the near post. Goa’s victory was ensured a couple of minutes later, when Amrit Pal Singh conceded a penalty and substitute Denzil Franco calmly put the ball away to wrap it up.