The Meghalaya school won the junior title for the first time in a final verdict of 5-4 (4-3) to become only the second school from the north-eastern state to do so. In sudden death, with the score tied at 3-3, Remiki Nonlamin scored while Tusharkanti Das shot straight into Taraing.

In the tiebreaker, Johny, Marboh, Marlangki and Lambok Rymbai had scored after Rockos Lamari and Lekni Soting had been blocked by Das. But Sukantnagar boys began well with Habibur Rehman Mondal scoring only to lose way after that when Dinesh and Sardar shot out. Luckily, Bhola Prasad and Shankar Sil had restored a lost cause before Tusharkant Das muffed.

After the teams returned a poor show in the 70 minutes of the regulation period with occasional bursts, 15 minutes of extra time failed to break the deadlock as the teams were tied 1-1, thanks to the timely equaliser from captain Nemai Sardar in the 55th minute. Earlier Shillong school's captain Lekni Soting had put their team ahead following a direct free kick in the 18th minute.

In fact, the teams began rather slowly realising what was at stake. The SAI school, having won the title before in 1997, were billed as the favourites but the gritty Meghalaya outfit thwarted all their moves with a solid defence which hardly allowed any leeway. So much so, the Calcutta team was so frustrated and, in the process, failed to combine well despite the brilliant efforts by Tusharn and Nemai Sardar.

Meanwhile, the Shillong school launched an attack midway through the first session and when Nohny Marboh was brought down by defender Surjit Dey near the box following his solo effort, the chance they were looking for came. The resultant direct free-kick, taken by Soting, yielded the result as the ball curled in to the right of jumping goalkeeper Krishnendu Das.

After the breather, the Calcutta boys seemed to have a larger say in the proceedings with maximum ball possession which forced the Meghalaya boys on their back foot. In fact, Sardar, who eventually restored parity, should have struck at least twice but either delayed or shot over. In the extra time, neither team made any real effort and forced the tiebreaker.

St John's School emerge winners
New Delhi: A self goal by Rohit Sikka sealed the fate of hosts St Francis De Sales School as they went down fighting 1-2 to last year's runners-up St John's School, Khera Khurd in the final of the Father Peter Mermier Memorial football.

The match started on a promising note with both sides giving each other tough fight. However, it was St John's who grabbed the initiative through a goal by Saleem in the 24th minute. But their joy was short-lived as James Murmu equalised for St Francis in the 55th minute forcing the match to enter extra-time. In the extra-time, where Golden Goal ruled was applied, Rohit Sikka while trying to clear the ball sent it in by mistake.

Following players were selected by the technical committee. Best player: Divesh Kumar (St Francis), best defender: Binny Pal Wadhwa (St Francis), best striker: Rehmat Ali (CRPF school), best goalkeeper: Ravi Victor (Sahoday School), best midfielder: Irenius Tete (St John's).