The Goan Network
Margao
Railways dethroned holders Manipur 4-3 via penalty shoot out to be crowned 21st Senior Women’s National Football champs for the first time, after the added extra time score-line read 3-3 in Jabalpur on Friday.
Although Railways played catch-up football throughout the course of the 120 minute encounter, a spirited and inspired performance showcased by them finally paid dividends, as they became the fourth team to be crowned champions of after Odisha, West Bengal and their opponents, Manipur.
However, it was Manipur, who started to attack from the opening minutes of the match as Railways adopted a defensive stance and reverted with counters. In the 3rd minute, Manipur were awarded a corner kick, which gradually fell into Bala Devi’s stride. The AIFF Player of the Year in an attempt to outfox the Railways defence line lost her footing and Railways cleared the danger away.
Shortly after, Railways counter-attacked with Sasmita Malik on the left flank. But the sprightly winger failed to deliver a pin-point cross, as Kamala Devi was left reeling for it in the 18 yard box.
In the 18th minute, Panthoi Chanu made a finger touch save to deny Railways the lead from a direct Kamala Devi free-kick. Two minutes later, it was Manipur who made their opponents pay for being complacent in defending as Bala Devi tapped home a Prameshwori Devi cross to make it 1-0 for Manipur.
Manipur’s lead however was short-lived as Railways equalised in the 22nd minute, courtesy a Ashalata Devi penalty kick. With the match erupting into an end to end affair, both contingents fluffed numerous chances. And in the 41st minute, Grace coolly slotted her chance past an onrushing Swarnamayee Samal to make it 2-1 for Manipur. It was dejavu perhaps, as Railways, in the 44th minute, equalised their deficit through Sasmita Malik, as the teams went into the tunnel on level pegging with the score-line reflecting 2-2. Changing over both teams were entwined in a battle for possession as the game got stretched.
