KOLKATA, March 31: Reigning champions Bengal will have to contend with five-time winners Kerala in their quest for yet another national football title as the two heavyweights clash in the final of the Santosh Trophy at the Saltlake Stadium, here tomorrow.
The 32-time champions Bengal, who ousted Karnataka in a nervy semifinal, will also look to avenge their group stage defeat against Kerala.
Bengal veteran duo of Jiten Murmu and Tirthankar Sarkar scored against Karnataka to set up a meeting with Kerala who pipped Mizoram 1-0 in the other semifinal.
Kerala have emerged the overwhelming favourites at the tournament but face their biggest test against a Bengal team which knows all about them, having faced the Southern outfit earlier in a redundant Group A game.
Kerala managed a 1-0 win in the meeting at Mohun Bagan Ground but Bengal Head Coach Ranjan Chowdhury feels the final clash is a different game altogether. � PTI
