Manipur clinches a record 23rd Rajmata Jijabai Trophy by defeating Odisha
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Narainpur, Dec 23 (NationPress) Manipur’s consistent dominance in the Senior Women's National Football Championship remains intact after they triumphed over Odisha with a score of 1-0 in the final match of the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground on Monday.
After a goalless first half, defending champions Manipur ensured they would take home the trophy for the 23rd time out of the 29 editions held so far when striker Asem Roja Devi scored the decisive goal amidst a crowded penalty area from a corner kick in the 55th minute.
Odisha found themselves in the runners-up position once again, marking their sixth defeat in seven finals, all at the hands of the ever-dominant Manipur.
While Odisha can take pride in limiting the scoreline against the formidable Manipur team, a bit of luck also contributed to the narrow margin of victory.
Although it is evident that the Odisha defense fought valiantly against the relentless Manipur offense, they were fortunate not to concede at least two additional goals.
From the very start, Manipur established dominance in the Odisha half and squandered an early opportunity to score in the fifth minute when they missed a penalty kick.
A handball by Odisha defender Shibani Munda led referee Ruva Devi G to award a penalty. Seasoned veteran Ratanbala Devi confidently took the shot, but it struck the post before bouncing back into play.
With Manipur’s midfielders and forwards pressing the Odisha goal area like an elite unit, there was never any doubt about the superiority of the north-eastern state. Odisha struggled to mount a serious offense, limiting their chances to sporadic attacks.
Odisha's captain and key offensive player, Pyari Xaxa, was closely monitored by the vigilant Manipur defenders, which stifled any potential scoring threats from the Odisha side.
Despite their overwhelming presence, Manipur experienced frustration as the Odisha defense consistently cleared the ball whenever faced with danger. At times, Manipur also faltered, with experienced player Dangmei Grace missing a close-range opportunity.
Ultimately, the winning goal came in the 55th minute after a chaotic scramble in the goalmouth, demonstrating how Roja Devi managed to find a narrow opening to score, making all the difference in this final.
