Bhaichung Bhutia axed from AIFF technical committee Lalrammawia Rammawia, substitute Ramfangzuava, Lalrammuanpuia, and Lalalrinchhana Rcha converted from the spot for the north-eastern outfit. Fialmuanawma Muanawma’s shot too was saved by Roy, who idolises India veteran Subrata Paul. For the Mridul Banerjee coached side, Santu Singh, Manvir Singh, Samad Ali Mallick and Mumtaz Akhtar found the net. Substitute Monotosh Chakladar’s shot hit the woodwork. Bengal’s last appearance in the final was six editions ago when Shabbir Ali led the side to their 31st triumph - 23 more than second placed Punjab with eight titles. In the other semifinal, Goa were cheered on by a healthy chunk of fans as they romped to a 2-1 win over Kerala in the second semi-final. The five-time champions were egged on by 18-year-old Liston Colaco who recorded a brace in the first half itself. The Salgaocar academy product scored in the 13th minute and 36th minute in a half dominated by the Blue and Yellows of Goa. Kerala came hard after the breather and even pulled a goal back via Rahul V Raj in the 61st minute. But Goa held onto the scoreline to enter the finals after an eight-year hiatus. The final of the 71st Santosh Trophy will be played to a conclusion on Sunday, 26th March at the same venue in what will be a repeat of the 1996 final where Goa lost to West Bengal 1-0 at the Fatorda Stadium.2017 Santosh Trophy Semi-final scoresWest Bengal 0-0 [ET] Mizoram (West Bengal won 6-5 on penalties)Goa 2-1 Kerala (Liston Colaco 13’, 36’; Rahul V Raj 61’)
