Bengal go down to Kerala, Maharashtra beat Railways

Defending champions Kerala remained on course for another triumph after pipping a strong Bengal side 3-2 while Maharashtra got past last year's semi finalists Railways 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the 58th National football championship for the LG Santosh trophy at the Khuman Lampak main stadium in Imphal on Sunday.

The game was level, 1-1, at half time.

Bengal took the lead first when Surya Bikash Chakravorty delivered a perfect cross to Chandan Das, who made no mistake to put his side ahead in the 20th minute.

However, 11 minutes later, Kerela returned the favour with S. Ignatious who heading home a cros from Abdul Hakim.

Kerala, then, went into the lead in the 59th minute when Ignatious scored the second goal off a good ball from Ashis Saheeer.

Bengal drew parity in the 79th minute. Chandan Das started the move, lobbing the ball to Dipendu Biswas who headed it down to Sandip Das who scored from close range.

With the scores tied 2-2, both teams went all out for a win.

It was Kerala who scored in the 87th minute with Ignatious delivering a cross to Usman who scored off a header to give his side the win.

In a Group B encounter, Maharashtra notched up a solitary goal in the first half through Nausad Moosa (37th minute) and that was good enough to see them to victory.

The match began on a dull note with the defences of both sides holding strong.

Railways wasted a close chance when Subhash Chakravarty shot wide from an advantageous position in the 20th minute.

The winning goal came soon after with Moosa, waiting in the opponents' box to receive the corner kick, headed home past the Railways custodian.