AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: It was a day of high tension, goals, and emotional swings at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, on Thursday, October 9, 2025, as Tamil Nadu edged through to the semi-finals of the 30th Senior Women’s National Football Championship for the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy 2025-26, but not through the usual route.

Tamil Nadu’s 1-1 draw with Odisha left both sides completely level in terms of head-to-head records, overall points, goal difference, and goals scored and conceded. With nothing else to separate them, Tamil Nadu progressed to the last four via a draw of lots.

They will be joined by West Bengal, who were clinical in their 3-0 win over Chhattisgarh to top Group A with 10 points from four games, remaining unbeaten.

Odisha 1 (Pyari Xaxa 55')
drew with
Tamil Nadu (Priyadharshini 10')

The Group A decider between Odisha and Tamil Nadu lived up to the stakes and expectations, with both sides fighting tooth and nail in a contest that was fiercely competitive and tactically disciplined.

It was Tamil Nadu who struck first, courtesy of in-form Priyadharshini in the 10th minute. A hopeful long ball from deep caused confusion in the Odisha backline. As the ball bounced awkwardly, Priyadharshini pounced, lobbing the ball over an advancing Odisha goalkeeper Sasmita Parida to give her side an early lead and put pressure on Odisha.

Odisha, however, regrouped during the break. Their response came through Pyari Xaxa, another prolific name this season, who showed great composure in the 55th minute to level the score with a fine strike. From that moment on, it was a chess match, with both sides desperately seeking a winner but unable to break the deadlock.

When the final whistle blew, the two teams stood inseparable across every measurable parameter, and Tamil Nadu’s destiny was decided by the luck of the draw, sending them through to the semi-finals.

West Bengal 3 (Sulanjana Raul 51', 73', Sangita Basfore 83')
beat
Chhattisgarh 0

West Bengal were in no mood to leave things to chance and stamped their authority over Group A with a resounding 3-0 win over hosts Chhattisgarh, making it three wins from four and sealing top spot in style.

All goals came in the second half, with Sulanjana Raul the standout performer. She opened the scoring in the 51st minute, heading home a pinpoint cross from the right after finding herself completely unmarked in the box.

Her second, in the 73rd minute, was a moment of individual brilliance. Receiving the ball just outside the area, Sulanjana dribbled past two defenders before executing a delightful scoop with her right foot. The ball arced perfectly over the goalkeeper and into the bottom left corner.

The final blow was dealt in the 83rd minute. Sangita Basfore, relentless throughout the match, tore through the Chhattisgarh defence and rifled in a low strike, confirming West Bengal’s unbeaten progress into the knockouts.