New Delhi, March 1 :     Tamil Nadu today qualified to take on champions Bengal in the final of the 21st sub-junior (under-16) national football championship. This line-up is a repeat of the 1984 final. On that occasion, the match ended goalless and the title was shared. Bengal and Tamil Nadu had met in group I league of this edition of the meet with the reigning champions emerging triumphant 2-0. Bengal coach Ananta Ghosh, however, feels Tamil Nadu have improved with each outing and are now a well-knit outfit. He is particularly impressed with nippy left winger S. Nagalingam, striker M. Manikandanan and goalkeeper V. P. Satish Kumar. Ghosh, who will also recommend probables for the national sub-junior squad, intends to include this trio from Tamil Nadu in the training camp. In the second semi-final today, Tamil Nadu pipped fancied Assam 3-1 in the penalty shoot-out. The match after regulation time and twenty minutes of extra time ended 1-1. Skipper and goalkeeper Satish Kumar, a class X student of SMT Malathi Matriculation School, Chennai, starred in TN?s triumph. His uncanny judgement and anticipation enabled him to save three successive penalty kicks in the tie-breaker off substitute midfielder Raja Roy, stopper Ratul Sonowal and attacking medio L. Akbar Singh. Manoj Rajkhowa converted the first penalty kick for Assam but the remaining kicks were all saved. For Tamil Nadu, substitute midfielder Y. Raja, right back S. Satish Kumar and midfielder J. Auxiano scored with firm placements. Coach R. Inbamani, who works for Chennai Port Trust, said the team was well prepared for the penalty shoot-out. Tamil Nadu started briskly and dominated exchanges. After sustained pressure they equalised in the 38th minute. Nagalingam crossed from the left and striker M. Manikandanan trapped and took a first time shot which goalkeeper Richard Chowdhury parried. Following up Manikandanan slot home the rebound. In the second half, Tamil Nadu maintained the pressure and twice nearly scored again. Nagalingam broke through but over hit the ball and and advancing Richard brought off a plucky save. In the 54th minute, Manikandanan?s rising shot from outside the box was headed off the line by stopper back Sonowal with goalkeeper Richard out of position. Towards the end of the second half, Assam wrested the initiative. Winger Ujjal Nath headed over and Manoj Rajkhowa?s low shot was saved by the Tamil Nadu custodian. Two minutes to the final whistle, prolific goal-scorer L. Akbar Singh?s powerful right-footer deflected off the Tamil Nadu wall and entered the netting with goalkeeper Satish Kumar wrong?footed. Inextra time Assam fumbled with two chances. Bengal have advantage Most of the coaches feel that Bengal enjoy an advantage due to the superior match temperament of their players. Interestingly, only two of Bengal?s 18-strong squad do not play for any club in the Calcutta league. Striker Syed Rahim Nabi, from Pandua village in the Hoogly district and substitute winger Abdul Rauf Khan have yet to join a club. Winger Swapan Das and midfielder Sovan Das are on a stipend with FCI, Skipper Palash and midfielder Subhendu Das play for Taltolla Dipto Sangha. Amjad and playmaker Sona Biswas represent CFC. Reserve stopper Lakhan Singh is from East Bengal juniors. The impressive wing backs Arindam Hazara and Bimal Sarkar play for Milan Bithee and Sporting Union respectively. Dashing right winger Supratik Ain represents Milan Samity.