Manipur edged Bengal 1‑0 in a tense final, securing the 23rd Senior Women’s National Football Championship title for the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy. The match finished at the RKM Ashrama ground in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, on Wednesday.
The game stayed score‑less until the 93rd minute, when Lynda Kom Serto delivered a calm strike that put Manipur ahead. Her goal was the only one of the match, handing the northeastern side another triumph in the tournament’s history.
Both teams started cautiously, fighting over the midfield and keeping tight shape. A set‑piece in the 20th minute saw Manipur’s Ratanbala Devi curl a free‑kick past the post, a moment that almost gave Bengal hope. Six minutes later, Rimpa Haldar nearly broke the deadlock, driving a clear shot wide after a run through Manipur’s defense.
Bengal kept the pressure on. In the 35th minute an opening appeared, but a hesitant shot from Haldar let the Manipur goalkeeper close the angle. A few minutes later Mousumi Murmu’s long left‑wing drive flew just off target, keeping the match narrow.
The second half tested nerves. Both sides made several substitutions in a bid to crack the deadlock, but the scores stayed level. The contest looked set for extra time until the final minutes when fatigue began to bite.
In the 93rd minute, Manipur’s Phanjoubam Nirmala Devi worked a cross from the right. Bengal’s defenders hesitated, and Lynda Kom seized the space, controlling the ball before nailing a right‑footed finish past the keeper. The goal sent the Manipur fans into a frenzy and left Bengal’s players stunned at the late timing.
When the referee blew the final whistle, Bengal’s players sank to the ground in disappointment, while the Manipur squad celebrated in a display of resilience. With this win, Manipur continues to dominate India’s women’s football, now boasting 23 titles in the senior national championship.
Keywords: Manipur women’s football, Bengal women’s football, Senior Women’s National Championship, Rajmata Jijabai Trophy, stoppage time goal, Lynda Kom Serto, women’s football India, women’s sports news.
Source: ianslive
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