AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The final of the 30th Senior Women’s National Football Championship for the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy promises to be a thrilling affair, as reigning champions Manipur face a spirited Bengal side at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. The match will kick off at 15:00 IST, and will be streamed live on the Indian Football YouTube channel.

With history, pride and the ultimate prize at stake, this title clash will be more than just about lifting a trophy but also about which team handles pressure and nerves in a better way on the day.

Manipur, with an astonishing 22 titles from 28 editions, are no strangers to this stage. Their dominance has been so consistent and deep-rooted that the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy has almost felt synonymous with their name. Their current squad carries that aura of confidence and purpose, fuelled further by their recent semi-final demolition of Tamil Nadu by a 4–0 scoreline.

Leading Manipur’s attack is Lynda Kom Serto. With nine goals to her name, she has not only guided her team into the final but also placed herself firmly in the race for the Golden Boot. She will be supported by the in-form Dangmei Grace and Khumukcham Bhumika Devi.

Yet, Bengal are not to be underestimated. Though they’ve only lifted the trophy twice, they enter this final on the back of a hard-fought 2–1 win over Uttar Pradesh, a match in which they were reduced to 10 players midway through the second half. What they lack in historical dominance, they’ve made up for in resilience and tactical maturity.

Sulanjana Raul, the tournament’s second-highest scorer with 12 goals, has been a revelation, leading from the front with sharp finishing and tireless pressing. Her battle with Lynda Kom for the top-scorer honour adds a delicious subplot to an already high-stakes encounter, with both players chasing down Kerala’s Shilji Saji, who currently leads the scoring chart with 13 goals.

The final is expected to be a tense tactical battle, a game where defence will meet attack head-on. Manipur have shown they can slice through any backline with quick interchanges and fluid movement, but Bengal’s organisation and ability to stay compact — even under pressure — have made them one of the toughest teams to break down. It will be a clash of tempo versus discipline, width versus structure, flair versus grit.

Neither side will want to concede space or momentum early on. Expect a cautious opening spell, where both teams try to feel each other out before launching into full throttle. Set-pieces could prove decisive, as could individual moments of brilliance, of which both sides have plenty. As Manipur chase their 23rd crown and Bengal look to script a new chapter, fans can brace for a final that will be high on drama and goals.