Bhubaneswar: HOPS FC pipped Nita Football Academy via a pulsating penalty shootout to etch their names in history and lift the inaugural AIFF U17 Women’s Youth League title on a rain-soaked afternoon at the RKM Football Academy in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, on Wednesday.

The regulation time had ended 1-1 before HOPS won 4-2 on penalties. Both goals came towards the end of the first half. Sonia gave HOPS the lead in the 43rd minute, but Khundongbam Ambalika's stoppage-time penalty levelled it for Nita before the break. It stayed at 1-1 at the end of regulation time as well. In a surprising move, defender Ambalika was handed the gloves and placed as the goalkeeper for the shootout by Nita. The change almost paid dividends as she did well to stop Sakshi’s direct shot.

But Deepika Kumari placed her shot wide as both teams failed to convert their first two chances. Mansi Sonkar placed in to give HOPS a 1-0 lead. But Niruta Baraghare also beat Sonam to level things. Then it was Sonia and Lipi Kishan's turn to score and make it 2-2. Revika placed low as HOPS led 3-2. Sonam dived to her left to deny Ritu Badaik. That meant Ranjita Hembrom had the opportunity to score the winning shot, and the midfielder did well to push it low into the net as HOPS won the shootout 4-2. And against the run of play, HOPS forged ahead. Sonia dipped her free-kick from 40 yards out into the box. The ball lobbed over Sonam’s head into the net.

But Nita fought back to level terms before the breather. Niruta once again fired but it was diverted towards the left. As Deepika gave chase, Sonam rushed out and made contact with the Nita player inside the box, which was deemed as a foul. Ambalika, who had struck four goals in the tournament so far, got her fifth as she placed the resultant penalty to the left of the goalkeeper into the net. It rained intermittently for most of the second half. But both sets of players battled on gamely, braving the testing conditions.

HOPS custodian Sonam denied good efforts from Ritu Badaik, Niruta and Ambalika as Nita forced the pace. But the Cuttack side were unable to break through as the Delhi side did well to hang on until the end of the regulation time.