Anantapur : West Bengal dethroned 12-time champions Manipur on penalties after the teams were level at 1-1 at the end of regulation time to win the Dr Talimeren Ao Junior Girls’ National Football Championship Tier 1 for the second time at the RDT Stadium in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Diya Biswas gave West Bengal the lead in the 14th minute before Narmada Devi Mayengbam restored parity in the 50th minute. In the shoot-out, Moumita Majhi, Pallabi Barman, and Sudipta Mandal scored for West Bengal. For Manipur, only Mangaleibi Irom and Agunwangliu Khengtamei converted. West Bengal goalkeeper and captain Annyasha Neogi proved decisive as they won 3-2 on penalties and lifted their first title since 2012.
It was sweet revenge for West Bengal, who had lost 0-9 to Manipur in the final last year at the same venue.
Manipur, who have contributed legendary players to the Indian women’s teams of all ages, stamped their authority from the start. Their quick passing and transition had West Bengal in discomfort at times. But they left chunks of space in midfield, which the Bengal team exploited well and threatened the Manipur goal often, with Diya Biswas and Malita Munda breaking through dangerously.
A couple of offside flags denied Bengal a goal, but they forged ahead in the 14th minute. Swarna Chettri chipped the ball to the right, and Diya sprinted in to place it past the onrushing Manipur captain and goalkeeper Sonia Devi Laishram into the untenanted net.
But Manipur forced the equaliser five minutes into the second half. Picking up a long clearance, Ronika produced an angled left-footer from the top of the box as the ball settled low into the net past the hapless Bengal custodian Annyasha Neogi.
Both teams then had an even share of the exchanges as they fought hard to stay alive and score if possible. Play was punctuated by long lobs and clearances but caused little or no problems at either end. While Manipur tried to stretch the game wide and attack, Bengal adopted the more direct approach. But with the defences coming up trumps, neither succeeded.
In the 78th minute, Manipur came closest to fetching another goal when Mangaleibi sent Linthoi Chanu Laitonjam away down the right, but Annyasha rushed out in time to intercept and clear it away. The game then ended 1-1 at the end of regulation time.
Brief Scorecard –
Manipur : 1 (2) (Narmada Devi Mayengbam 50′)
West Bengal : 1 (3) (Diya Biswas 14′).
