Tamil Nadu meet Punjab, Bengal face Goa in semis

Kolkata: Spirited Tamil Nadu bounced back from a goal deficit to shock last year`s runners-up Bengal 2-1 to end the quarterfinal group league on a high in the 64th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy at the floodlit Yuba Bharati Krirangan here on Wednesday. Emerging Group B toppers with seven points, last year`s semifinalists Tamil Nadu thus set up a last-four clash with Group A runners-up Punjab. Hosts Bengal (4 points), who finished second, will face a tough challenge from reigning champions and the team in form Goa in their semifinal. Both the semifinals will be held on August 6. In a rain-soaked match that was stopped for 25 minutes in the second-half because of a power-tripping, Bengal went ahead through a Narendra Dewan goal in the 16th minute. But Bengal`s joy lasted less than two minutes with Tamil Nadu equalising through V R Murugappan to make a flying comeback. P C Riju scored the winner in the 79th minute. Earlier, a goalless draw by Mizoram and Delhi in the first quarterfinal Group B league match of the day ensured semifinal berths for Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Mizoram missed a few chances as they dominated the capital boys for most part of the match but only to settle for a goalless draw that meant an exit for Delhi. In the floodlit match of the day affected by power-tripping, Bengal came close to scoring in the fourth minute but Denson Devadas` header missed the target. But Dewan scored in the 16th from a Jayanta Sen through as he netted with a rightfooter from 24 yards. But Tamil Nadu made a quich comeback with Murugappan scoring from a left side attack in a 17th minute move. Bengal looked to attack but Tamil Nadu were good in thwarting their efforts as the score was 1-1 at halftime. Bringing dark memories of the past, the power tripped for 25 minutes accompanied by heavy rains five minutes after the break as total darkness engulfed the YBK. After the play resumed, Bengal missed at least two close chances with Dewan and Oraon at the receiving ends. Tamil Nadu, however, were superior in finishing as Riju struck easily from the right off a short pass giving them the decisive goal. Bengal is no stranger to sporting events getting affected due to power failure. A pre-World Cup match at the 1,25,000 capacity Salt Lake stadium had to be suspended for 25 minutes on September 8, 2004, after rats snapped some cables at a West Bengal State Electricity Board sub-station in the stadium. In the recent past, YBK saw a similar power cut during the Calcutta football league decider between Chirag United and Mohun Bagan in May this year. Earlier, a complacent looking Delhi dished out a lacklustre performance as Mizoram dominated most part of the match. But none of the teams could be able to score and had to settle for a drab draw. With Delhi lacking steam, Mizoram kept on attacking and had their first share of opportunity in the 13th minute when Davi Lalrinmuana utilised an F Lalmuanpuia cross but failed to head in what could have been an easy goal. Mizoram had their best chance in the 85th minute when Lalmuanpuia missed an open net after receiving a long through. Delhi had their share of missed-chance in the 68th when Tuishim Mashangva foiled a left-side cross by Monu Chowdhury. Tamil Nadu finished on top with seven points, while Bengal made the cut by finishing second with four points. Having drawn all their three quarterfinal Group B league matches, Delhi finished with three points, while Mizoram earned one point to finish third and fourth respectively. The summit clash for Santosh Trophy will be on August 8. PTI