New Delhi: Assam won the 34th Sub-junior (under-16) National football championship for the Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy for the first time in 30 years when they defeated Chandigarh 2-0 in the final, which was played in Margaon, on Friday.

Assam seized the initiative right from the kick-off. After muffing two easy opportunities in the first ten minutes, they were eventually rewarded in the 11th minute when Milan Basumataray slotted home from close after being fed by Lalzeiram Hmar from the right — a lead which Assam maintained till the interval.

In the second half, Chandigarh came back with more purpose and had it not been for Assam goalkeeper Danswrang Basumatary, who kept Samuel Lalmuanpuia’s shot at bay in the 50th minute, the story could have been different.

Chandigarh pressed hard but were not able to restore parity — Vikram Singh’s long ranger hitting the post. And as Assam’s Robin Chhetri failed to finish it off after his solo burst, anxious moments for Assam seemed to have no end.

But it didn’t last long. Assam’s Zeherui Islam made the issue safe for his team, tapping the ball over rival goalkeeper Zothanmawia after he was fed by Rafel Narzary.

Assam Football Association (AFA) secretary Ankur Dutta said that the last time the north-eastern state won the under-16 title was in 1982, jointly with Kerala. Coached by Subir Dey, the players in the team picked up after organising a series of district level tournaments for the juniors.