The 29th Senior Women’s National Football Championship for the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy is set to reach its thrilling conclusion with Manipur and Odisha gearing up to face each other in the final.
The match, which will take place on Monday at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground, promises to be an exciting showdown between two teams with contrasting histories in the competition.
Manipur, the 22-time champions and a dominant force in Indian women’s football, have earned their place in the final by defeating West Bengal 3-0 in the semifinals.
Odisha, the underdogs, caused a stir by beating the defending runners-up Haryana 2-0, thanks to a stellar performance by their captain Pyari Xaxa. This is the seventh time Odisha has reached the final, a remarkable achievement for the team.
In the first semifinal, Manipur initially struggled to break down West Bengal’s defensive tactics. Despite being the favourites, they found themselves at a stalemate in the first half.
However, the floodgates opened in the second half when Dangmei Grace, one of Manipur’s star internationals, found the back of the net in the 53rd minute. She broke through the defence with a superb run and beat Bengal goalkeeper Manju with a composed right-footed finish.
The Manipur attack continued to press as Priyangka Devi added a second goal just a few minutes later. Her dipping drive from 25 yards left goalkeeper Manju with no chance, as the ball found its way into the net.
Manipur sealed their victory with a third goal in the 78th minute. Shilky Devi’s quick turn and shot from outside the box caught Manju off guard, giving Manipur a comfortable 3-0 lead.
On the other side of the draw, Odisha made an impressive run to the final, with captain Pyari Xaxa leading her team to victory. The second semifinal saw Odisha take on Haryana in a match that was filled with energy and attacking football.
India international goalkeeper Shreya Hooda made several crucial saves to keep Odisha at bay early on. However, in the 10th minute, Pyari dribbled past a couple of defenders to give Odisha the lead with a brilliant solo effort.
After the break, Haryana pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Odisha’s defence and goalkeeper Sasmita Parida held strong.
Parida’s crucial saves kept Haryana from converting their chances, ensuring Odisha’s lead remained intact. In the 88th minute, Pyari Xaxa put the game beyond doubt with a free-kick that slipped through the hands of Haryana goalkeeper Hooda, rolling into the net to make it 2-0.
For Odisha, the victory was a significant achievement, particularly considering that they were considered underdogs heading into the tournament.
Their defensive resilience and the outstanding performances of players like Pyari Xaxa and Sasmita Parida have propelled them into the final, where they will face the formidable Manipur side.
As the two teams prepare for Monday’s final, it is clear that both sides have what it takes to lift the coveted Rajmata Jijabai Trophy.
Manipur, with their wealth of experience and strong squad, will be looking to extend their dominance in the competition, while Odisha will be hoping to defy the odds and claim their first-ever title.
Follow us
