Even a brilliant performance under the bars by Nandita Mondol failed to give Bengal the desired title. 

Bengal women, despite dishing out a dominant performance against their fancied opposition Manipur, lost in the Khelo India Youth Games women’s football championship on Tuesday in Chennai.

After the match ended 0-0 in regulation 90 minutes, Manipur clinched the title with a thrilling 8-7 in the penalty shoot-out. 

Bengal’s goalkeeper Nandita who was outstanding throughout the regulation time, also made two crucial saves in the penalty shoot-out. Bengal squandered fifth and sixth shot and Bengal’s experienced coach Sujata Kar felt they had to pay the price finally for missing those two shots. 

She explained while speaking from Chennai, “The girls dished out excellent football throughout the match. But missing chances became the key obstruction to our title. Even we should have had a lea of at least three goals in the first half.”

Referring was also not up to the mark as Bengal girls were deprived of a spot-kick when a Manipuri defender handled the ball inside the box.