Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 15:
Manipur's domination in women's football continues as the State eves retained the Senior Women national Football Championship with a 2-1 victory over arch rivals West Bengal in the final of the competition's 15th edition in Rourkela today.
Despite conceding an early goal to their opponents, the champion eves rallied brilliantly in the second session to score both the goals within a span of five minutes.
After Shakhitombi equalised with a 77th minute strike Ng Bala ensured the title triumph when she rattled the Bengal defence three seconds from end of the 80 minute normal period.
Manipur and West Bengal have played against each other in the final of the championship 13 times out of which the latter had won only twice.
The only time the traditional rivals had not met in the final was in the 2002 championship held at Calcutta when Manipur defeated Orissa.
The 15th championship had begun on April 25 with Manipur participating from the quarter final league stage as defending champions.
After trouncing Maharashtra 12-0 and Bihar 8-0 to storm into semi final Manipur sealed its final berth with a 5-0 drubbing of Goa.