Jharkhand Edges Manipur 3-2 to Clinch Sub-Junior National Title

In a fiercely contested final, the young footballers from Jharkhand triumphed over Manipur with a score of 3-2 to secure the Sub-Junior Girls’ National Football Championship title for the 2025-26 season. The decisive match took place at Jorhat Stadium in Assam, showcasing intense competition and skill from both teams.

The first half saw a deadlock until the 45th minute when Waikhom Lanthoi Chanu inadvertently scored an own goal, giving Jharkhand a crucial lead just before halftime. This moment shifted the momentum, and shortly after the break, Anamika Kumari extended Jharkhand’s advantage to 2-0 by skillfully converting a well-placed cross.

Despite the setback, Manipur responded with determination. In the 56th minute, Lanthoi redeemed herself with a stunning long-range strike that found the back of the net, igniting hope for her team. The score narrowed to 2-1, but Jharkhand quickly answered back just three minutes later. Nensi Munda, after being fouled in a dangerous area, expertly curled a free kick past the Manipur goalkeeper, restoring Jharkhand’s two-goal cushion at 3-1.

Manipur refused to back down, launching a late offensive that paid off when they scored again in the 84th minute, bringing the score to 3-2. The match intensified as they sought an equaliser, nearly converting a free kick in added time. However, Jharkhand’s goalkeeper, Palak Mahto, made a critical save, securing the victory and marking Jharkhand’s third title in the Sub-Junior Girls’ National Championship.

In other football news, the Indian women’s U17 team demonstrated their dominance in South Asia by clinching the SAFF U17 Women’s Championship title with an impressive 5-0 win over Nepal at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu. This commanding performance propelled India to a total of 15 points from five matches, solidifying their position at the top of the table. The second-placed team, Bangladesh, faltered earlier in the day, drawing 1-1 against hosts Bhutan, which ensured the championship for India.

Highlighting the scoring prowess of the young players, Pearl Fernandes netted two goals in the 15th and 43rd minutes, while Divyani Linda added two more in the 79th and 90+2 minutes. Additionally, Nira Chanu Longjam contributed with a goal in the 5th minute, rounding off a remarkable performance by the team.

The outcomes of both championships underscore the growing talent within Indian women’s football, promising exciting prospects for the future of the sport in the region.