In a gripping finale at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Hyderabad, West Bengal clinched the 78th Santosh Trophy title with a dramatic 2-0 victory over Kerala. Despite Kerala’s spirited performance throughout the match, a crucial defensive error in the final minutes of the second half cost them the prestigious title, leaving West Bengal to celebrate a historic triumph.
The month-and-a-half-long tournament, which featured 87 matches, culminated in a nail-biting showdown between two powerhouses of Indian football. The final, played under the lights on New Year’s Eve, was telecast live on DD Sports and streamed on ssen.com, drawing massive attention. Both teams came into the match with near-perfect records, having won nine out of their ten games, showcasing their dominance throughout the championship.
West Bengal, the most successful side in the history of the Santosh Trophy, marked their 47th final appearance with a record-extending 33rd title. Despite Kerala’s edge in recent years, including wins over Bengal in the 2017-18 and 2021-22 finals, history was rewritten in Hyderabad. Kerala’s head coach Biby Thomas Muttath emphasized the importance of the tournament to his state, likening it to a “World Cup,” but admitted that Bengal’s attacking duo of Robi Hansda and Naro Hari Shrestha made the difference.
Kerala’s midfield maestro Nijo Gilbert praised the high stakes and the derby-like intensity of the final. “The rivalry between Bengal and Kerala is almost like a derby. While we fell short, it was a privilege to play such a tightly-contested match,” he said. West Bengal’s coach Sanjoy Sen, meanwhile, commended his team for maintaining their composure and proving their mettle in a tournament he described as “more competitive than ever.”
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