Margaon: Assam are the champions of the 34th Sub-Junior National Football for the Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy. In the final played at the Nehru Stadium, Assam scored a goal in each half as they blanked Chandigarh 2-0 on Friday.

Assam seized the initiative right from the kick-off. After muffing two easy opportunities in the first ten minutes itself, 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 it over rival goalkeeper Zothanmawia after he was fed by Rafel Narzary.

Chief Guest AIFF Player-of-the-Year Sunil Chhetri, distributed the prizes.