If it is Kerala and West Bengal who are battling in a Santosh Trophy final, it seems inevitable the game has to be decided in a penalty shootout. Like in all three finals where the two traditional arch-rivals faced each other on previous occasions, the title decider of the 75th edition also was determined from 12 yards out at the Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri on Monday.
Bengal midfielder Sajal Bag’s miss in the second round of spot kicks proved to be the difference between the two sides as it was hosts Kerala who repeated the 2017-18 success winning 5-4 on penalties after there was nothing to separate the two teams in 120 minutes of football. This is the seventh time that Kerala have lifted the Santosh Trophy title.
