However, the Bengal coach Ranjana Chatterjee says that her team will give its best in the summit clash. “It is going to be tough, no doubt. But the girls have played well in the tournament, especially during pressure situations. We hope for the best,” she said.
Bengal is the only other State apart from Manipur to have won the National title. It did so in 1992 and 1997. On both the occasions, it defeated Manipur in the final.
Manipur had beaten Bengal in the quarterfinal league of the ongoing championship. But still, Manipur coach Premkanta Singh felt that final was a different ball game. “Having beaten Bengal earlier in the tournament is a psychological advantage. But we never take things for granted,” he said.