West Bengal lost to Manipur by an injury time goal to finish Runners-up in 30th Senior Women’s National Football Championship for Rajmata Jijabai Trophy 2025-26 at the RKM Ashrama ground in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh.
Lynda Kom Serto scored the goal in 93′ of the match.
This was the 14th occasion when West Bengal finished Runner-up. Earlier, they finished runners-up in 1992-93, 1994-95, 1995-96, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2006-07, 2008-09, 2010-11, They had won the tournament in 1991-92 and in 1996-97.
Sulanjana Raul played a key role for West Bengal in the tournament with 13 goals on her name.
Earlier, in semifinal, West Bengal defeated Uttar Pradesh 2-1. Sulanjana Raul in 11′ and Rimpa Haldar in 45+2′ scored the goals for West Bengal while for UP, Santosh in 89′ pulled back one through penalty.
In Final Round, West Bengal was drawn with Chhattisgarh, Goa, Odisha and Tamil Nadu in Group A.
West Bengal played a goalless draw with Goa in the opening match of Group A at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh. Although there were a fair number of chances at both ends, neither side managed to break the deadlock.
In second match, West Bengal defeated Odisha 1-0. Mousumi Murmu scored the winning goal in 59′. She was also adjudged Player of the match.
In third match, West Bengal defeated Tamil Nadu 3-0. For West Bengal, Rimpa Haldar in 25′, Sulanjana Raul in 42′ and Sangita Basfore in 83′ scored the goals. Sulanjana Raul was adjudged Player of the match.
In fourth and final match of Group A, West Bengal defeated host Chhattisgarh 3-0 to emerge Group Champions with 10 points. For West Bengal, Sulanjana Raul scored a brace in 51′ & 73′ while Sangita Basfore scored the other goal in 83′. Sulanjana Raul was adjudged Player of the match.
West Bengal was clubbed with Meghalaya, Railways & Sikkim in Group D. They finished the Group D campaign with all win records.
West Bengal defeated Meghalaya 7-0 in opening match at D.L. Roy Memorial District Stadium on September 6. For West Bengal, Sulanjana Raul scored four goals (4′, 11′, 31′, 55′), while Sushmita Lepcha (31′), Mousumi Murmu (37′) and Rimpa Haldar (45+2′) scored a goal each. Sulanjana Raul was adjudged Player of the match.
In second match, West Bengal defeated Railways 7-0 at D.L. Roy Memorial District Stadium on September 8. For West Bengal, Rimpa Haldar scored three goals (3′, 18′ & 45+3′), Sulanjana Raul scored a brace (20′ & 37′), while Mousumi Murmu (4′) and Sangita Basfore (40′) scored a goal each. Sulanjana Raul was adjudged Player of the match.
In the final group match, West Bengal defeated Sikkim 5-1 at D.L. ROY MEMORIAL DISTRICT STADIUM on September 10. For West Bengal Sulanjana Raul scored three goals (8′, 34′, 42′,) while Rimpa Haldar (40′) and Sangita Basfore (53′) scored a goal each. For Sikkim, Smeeta Sundas pulled back one in 13′. Sulanjana Raul was adjudged Player of the match.
Picture Courtesy: AIFF Media
