Jharkhand defeat Manipur to win third Sub-Junior Girls' NFC

New Delhi [India], August 31 (ANI): Jharkhand were crowned champions of the Sub Junior Girls National Football Championship 2025-26 Tier 1, with a 3-2 win over Manipur in a thrilling final at Jorhat Stadium, Jorhat, Assam, as per the official website of All India Football Federation (AIFF).

After a tense first half, Jharkhand broke the deadlock right before half-time in the 45th minute, when Waikhom Lanthoi Chanu scored an own goal.

Soon after the break, Anamika Kumari added a second turning in a well-placed cross to make it 2-0.

In the 56th minute, Lanthoi redeemed herself when she gave Manipur hope with a thunderous long-range strike from near the halfway line, sailing over the keeper into the net.

Jharkhand, however, responded just three minutes later. Brought down in a dangerous position, Nensi Munda won a free kick and stepped up curling it past the keeper, making it 3-1.

Manipur refused to give up and struck again in the 84th minute, narrowing the gap to 2-3. They nearly forced an equaliser from a free-kick in added time, but Jharkhand keeper Palak Mahto stood tall to ensure a 3-2 win. The victory sealed Jharkhand third Sub-Junior Girls National Championship title.

Earlier, the Indian women U17 team stamped their authority in South Asia with a commanding 5-0 victory over Nepal at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu to clinch the SAFF U17 Women Championship 2025 title in style. The Young Tigresses led 3-0 at half-time.

The victory lifted India to 15 points from five matches, an unassailable lead at the top of the table. Second-placed Bangladesh slip-up earlier in the day (a 1-1 draw against hosts Bhutan) ensured the title for India.

Pearl Fernandes (15, 43) and Divyani Linda (79, 90+2) both scored a brace each. Nira Chanu Longjam (5) also scored the other goal. (ANI)

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