AHMEDABAD: Bengal will make up for their losses to Kerala in the recent two Santosh Trophy finals in the National Games football. After a quarter of a century, Bengal defeated Kerala by five unopposed goals in the final of the National Games. V. Bengal captain Naro Hari Shrestha scored a hat-trick, while Robbie Hansda and Amit Chakraborty scored a goal each for the Wanganuts who dashed Mithun and his team’s gold hopes. Meanwhile, Services won the bronze medal by defeating Karnataka 4-0 in the losers final.
The first goal was scored in the 16th minute by shocking Kerala. Goalie Mithun blocked captain Naro Hari Shrestha’s shot from the right wing. Mithun cut the rebounded ball and Robby Hansda put it into the net. Kerala made continuous efforts to return the goal but failed. The second goal came in the 30th minute. This time Captain Hari Shrestha himself scored. Hansduck had another chance in the 33rd minute. Goli Mithun dived to save him. In the injury time of the first half, Kerala also had a golden opportunity with a free kick.
However, the Bengal captain increased the lead to three in the first half with the third goal. Shrestha completed the hat trick with a header in the 52nd minute. Defender Amit scored the fifth goal in the 85th minute. None of the opportunities that Kerala got were fruitful.
Two gold and silver each
AHMEDABAD: With the National Games coming to a close on Wednesday, Kerala climbed to the sixth position in the medal table by winning two golds and a silver each on Tuesday. Kerala has 21 gold, 18 silver and 13 bronze. Megha Pradeep won the women’s canoeing single 200m and G. Pradeep won the kayaking single 200m. Parvati also won. In the women’s softball grand final, Kerala lost to Punjab and got the silver medal. Kerala also had to settle for silver in men’s football. Services is at the top with 120 medals including 56 gold.
Double final for Kerala in volley
Bhavnagar: Kerala men and women reached finals in volleyball. In the semi-finals, the men’s team defeated Gujarat by 25-14, 25-15, 25-21 and the women’s team defeated Himachal Pradesh by 25-20, 25-14, 25-19. The finals will be held today. Kerala Women, the current gold winners, will be their opponents against Bengal.
Flag lowering on Wednesday
Surat: After three weeks of competitions, the 36th edition of the National Games will kick off on Wednesday. The closing ceremonies will be held in Surat from 5 pm. Six cities hosted the Games. The competitions started with table tennis on September 20, but the official opening was held on September 29 in Ahmedabad. Volleyball, boxing and handball matches will be completed today. The Goa authorities, who are hosting the 37th Games, will receive the flag at the closing ceremony.