Tata Football Academy pulled off an upset, edging out mighty Air India, Mumbai, 1-0 to lift the All India Governor's Gold Cup for the first time, at Namchi's Baichung Bhutia stadium in Gangtok on Wednesday.
Parminder Singh scored the all-important goal for the winners off a pass from Sumit Thapa from the left flank seven minutes before the breather.
TFA dominated the first-half, but they were helped to a great extent in the second by a fine performance by custodian Subhashish Roy Chaudhry, who brought off several saves and deny Air India victory.
The Mumbai had a fine chance six minutes into the first half but Stephen Hmar's header off a Suprit Jakthana centre went wide.
Air India mounted pressure in the second half and came close to scoring on a couple of occasions but an alert TFA custodian foiled each of these attempts, including a stiff shot from Binoy Kuruvilla in the 61st minute.
But the nimble-footed TFA custodian's most impressive save came in the 77th minute when he dived to prevent a Suprit Jakthanna grounder from finding the net.
In a last-ditch effort Air India brought in Anthony Fernandes, who had not played in the tournament due to injury, but he too was unable to save them.
Air India's Naushad Mousa, who had a fine match, was declared the man of the match.
Solungmi Releng of Assam State Electricity Board was adjudged the player of the tournament and
Bimal Bagdas off Sikkim Police XI, the best goalkeeper.
More from rediff