The last year's runners-up team from Nagaland, who were playing with 10 players throughout the tournament since others failed to qualify the medical test, would have to thank their goalkeeper for winning the title after he first kept the West Bengal side at bay during the regulation and extra time and then showed his magic in the penalty shootout.
The Nagaland school emerged 3-1 victorious in the penalty shootout after both the sides were locked goal-less.
Neithovilie stopped the spot kicks of Sanjib Bhowmick, Sourav Biswas and Prokash Sarkar and he could not hide his elation after blocking the last shot that ensured that the team regained the title they had last won in 2008.
"This is my first time and it was a fabulous opportunity and I learnt a lot from this experience," said Neithovilie, who was adjudged the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
This was also the first time that the Nagaland team failed to score a goal in regulation time, having pumped in 22 in the three league matches and three more in the knock out stage while conceding just one.
Nagaland coach Mughato Sumi said the team had worked very hard after the disappointment of losing in final last year.
"The introduction of Nagaland Premier League has given huge impetus to football in Nagaland. Parents have become more open to send their children for football," he said, adding the team's next goal is to train further and come back and win the U-17 tournament, which they have never won before.
The AIFF shortlisted 25 boys for one-time scholarship of Rs 10,000 and 15 of them will be adopted by the Subroto Mukherjee Sports Education Society for further training.
Other Awardees: Best Player: Sourav Biswas (Kalyangarh Bidyamandir, West Bengal).
Best Goalkeeper: Neithovilie (Greenwood School, Nagaland)
Fair Play: Namchi Sports Hostel, Sikkim.
