Bengal registered their third victory in the championship, defeating the women's football powerhouse, Railways 3-1 at the Kishore Bharati Stadium on Wednesday. This was the first defeat for the Railways in the group. 

Currently, Bengal stand second in the points table with nine points from four matches, while Railways have seven points from four matches. 

The half-time score was 2-1 in favour of Bengal. The match saw an early breakthrough as skipper Sangita Basfore unleashed a powerful shot from nearly 30 yards out, finding the net in the third minute. 

Railways responded in the 10th minute with an Anju Tamang header, courtesy of a precise pass from Yumnam Kamala Devi. 

However, Bengal regained the lead in the 18th minute with Mousumi Murmu's clinical left-footed finish.

The match's decisive moment came after Railways’ Sasmita Swain was shown a red card for a dangerous foul a few yards away from the penalty area. Off the resultant free-kick by Mausumi Murmu in the 78th minute, Sulanjana Raul flicked in to ensure three points for the hosts.

However, Defending champions Tamil Nadu strengthened their position to qualify for the semi-finals from Group A in the 28th senior women's national football championship for the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy defeating Chandigarh 2-0 at the AIFF National Centre for Excellence ground on Wednesday. 

While Tamil Nadu are currently the group toppers with 10 points from four matches, Chandigarh are yet to earn a point after suffering four consecutive defeats.

Hosts Bengal too, staked their claims for a place in the last four from Group A with Wednesday’s triumph. Bengal’s standout performance took them to the second spot in the group with nine points from four matches.