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a-coachs-job-is-to-keep-players-at-the-peak-of-their-form-stated-habas◆Antonio Lopez Habas dropped a real bombshell after the match◆East Bengal toyed with Inter Kashi, scoring five goals◆Critics Can Wait! Sanju Samson Lets His Bat Do the Talking◆Ishan Kishan Ruled Out of 2nd T20I, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the Spotlight◆India secured a win against New Zealand in the first T20I, thanks to the batting of Sanju, Shreyas, and Naman◆JOE ROOT’S GOLDEN MILESTONE! Becomes First England Batter to Reach 8,000 ODI Runs◆Four More Medals, 10 in Total: Ravi Budigina Leads India’s Swimming Surge at Asian Para Games◆Abhishek Sharma sets a world record by hitting a six off the very first ball—a feat he has now achieved seven time◆India’s Quality Bowling Attack Faces a Rare Reality Check Against New Zealand◆a-coachs-job-is-to-keep-players-at-the-peak-of-their-form-stated-habas◆Antonio Lopez Habas dropped a real bombshell after the match◆East Bengal toyed with Inter Kashi, scoring five goals◆Critics Can Wait! Sanju Samson Lets His Bat Do the Talking◆Ishan Kishan Ruled Out of 2nd T20I, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the Spotlight◆India secured a win against New Zealand in the first T20I, thanks to the batting of Sanju, Shreyas, and Naman◆JOE ROOT’S GOLDEN MILESTONE! Becomes First England Batter to Reach 8,000 ODI Runs◆Four More Medals, 10 in Total: Ravi Budigina Leads India’s Swimming Surge at Asian Para Games◆Abhishek Sharma sets a world record by hitting a six off the very first ball—a feat he has now achieved seven time◆India’s Quality Bowling Attack Faces a Rare Reality Check Against New Zealand◆
Football

West Bengal Beat Manipur on Penalties to End 14-Year Wait For Juniors Title

West Bengal have ended a 14-year wait for the Dr Talimeren Ao Junior Girls’ National Football Championship Tier 1 title, defeating defending champions Manipur 3-2 on penalties in a dramatic final at the RDT Stadium in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, on Friday.

By Admin•Published Sep 25, 2026, 3:40 PM
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West Bengal Beat Manipur on Penalties to End 14-Year Wait For Juniors Title

Xtratime Webdesk: West Bengal has ended its 14-year wait for the Dr Talimeren Ao Junior Girls’ National Football Championship Tier 1 title by defeating defending champions Manipur 3-2 on penalties in a dramatic final at the RDT Stadium in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, on Friday.

The match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes before West Bengal held their nerve in the shootout to lift the trophy for only the second time. Their previous triumph came in 2012.

West Bengal made the brighter start and took the lead in the 14th minute. Swarna Chettri delivered a clever ball into the right channel, allowing Diya Biswas to race through and finish past the advancing Manipur goalkeeper Sonia Devi Laishram.

Manipur responded early in the second half. Five minutes after the restart, Narmada Devi Mayengbam restored parity with a low-angled finish from the top of the box. With both defences holding firm, neither side could find a winner in regulation time.

With the game finely poised in the closing stages, Manipur tried for a late winner. Linthoi Chanu Laitonjam broke down the right flank, but West Bengal goalkeeper and captain Annyasha Neogi came off her line at the right moment to clear the danger. Neither side could break the deadlock in the remaining minutes, sending the final into a penalty shootout.

West Bengal kept their composure in the shootout, with Moumita Majhi, Sudipta Mandal and Pallabi Barman converting their penalties. Manipur managed only two successful attempts through Mangaleibi Irom and Agunwangliu Khengtamei. Neogi proved to be the hero for Bengal, making two crucial saves in the shootout to secure the 3-2 victory.

The triumph also marks a remarkable turnaround after West Bengal suffered a heavy 0-9 defeat against Manipur in last year’s final at the same venue.

The achievement was welcomed by IFA secretary Anirban Dutta, who congratulated the Bengal players, coaching staff and support staff for their memorable title-winning campaign.

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FootballOct 23

a-coachs-job-is-to-keep-players-at-the-peak-of-their-form-stated-habas

While he was happy with the result, he admitted that his team could have scored more goals. There was a sense of disappointment in his voice as he acknowledged the missed opportunities. Habas made it clear that the team would need to work on this aspect before their next match.

FootballOct 23

Antonio Lopez Habas dropped a real bombshell after the match

The match was over, and then came the post-match press conference. That was when East Bengal head coach Habas lost his cool, launching a scathing attack on Inter Kashi. The Spanish coach had been in charge of Inter Kashi last season, but his stint there was marred by salary payment issues that affected both him and his players. Now, Habas has opened up about his bitter experience at the club.

FootballOct 23

East Bengal toyed with Inter Kashi, scoring five goals

The scoreline read 5-1, but it could easily have been 8-1. On one side was a rampant East Bengal side in sparkling form; on the other, an Inter Kashi team that looked directionless and struggled without its foreign players. Whether it was the match report, analysis or tactical breakdown, one thing was clear: this was an overwhelmingly one-sided contest.

CricketOct 23

Critics Can Wait! Sanju Samson Lets His Bat Do the Talking

In the opening match of T20I series of India against New Zealand, Sanju Samson answered all the questions over his place in India’s T20 side with a powerful batting display. In this match he has scored 67 runs in just 33 balls at Christchurch. His innings have played a pivotal role in India’s successful chase of 226 runs and to take India an 1-0 lead.