Mizoram are Under-16 National champions!

Mizoram beat defending champions Jharkhand 2-1 in the finals of the Under-16 Nationals for the 33rd Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy at the Mohun Bagan ground in Kolkata this afternoon. International soft drink maker Coca Cola are the sponsors of the tournament and they once more tried to create some hype around the final with the ground all in Coke red and white, there was a DJ around and kids brought in to have some atmosphere.

The Northeast boys from Mizoram took the lead through talented striker Ramengmawia in the 10th minute, but that didn't last long as Jharkhand striker Syed Shoaib Ahmed equalised only seven minutes later. It remained one-all going into the breather with both sides trying to get once more onto the scoresheet.

After the break Mizoram would score the winner in the 55th minute through David K. Hmingthanga's intelligent chip over Jharkhand keeper Ranajit Das and they could have enhanced their lead through chances on counter attacks, while Jharkhand had more of the ball but wasted their few chances.

We saw some interesting football, good organisation and often raw talent with Mizoram No. 10 Ramengmawia being the pick of the players, but sadly he is way too short in height.

For Mizoram it was their fifth Under-16 National title and they received the award from Indian football captain Baichung Bhutia and Coca Cola India head Atul Singh in the post-match function which was attended by AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das, AIFF vice-Presidents Subrata Dutta and Ankur Datta, IFA Secretary Utpal Kumar Ganguli and former India captain P.K. Banerjee.