Ba Sangam College have ended a 10-year wait for the Extra Fiji Secondary Schools Football Championship Under-17 Boys title after defeating Labasa Muslim College 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shootout at Subrail Park in Labasa.
The two sides could not be separated during regulation time, with the score remaining nil-all at half-time and at the end of the second half.
The match went into extra time, with both teams pushing for the breakthrough, but strong defensive performances and goalkeeping kept the scores level.
Labasa Muslim College created several opportunities but were unable to find the back of the net, sending the final to a penalty shootout.
Ba Sangam held their nerve from the spot to win the shootout 4-2 and secure their first Under-17 Boys title in 10 years.
Speaking to fijivillage Sports, Ba Sangam coach Prasheil Kumar says he always believed his players could bring the trophy back to Ba.
Kumar says when the team travelled to Labasa, he reminded his players that a Ba district side had previously taken a trophy from Subrail Park and challenged them to do the same.
He described the final against Labasa Muslim College as a tough encounter, and says the Under-17 side was determined to make the most of its opportunity.
He says the victory is a proud moment for the team after a decade without the title and thanked his players for their effort, commitment and teamwork throughout the tournament.
Meanwhile, defending champions Lautoka Central College have retained the Under-15 title after defeating AD Patel College 1-0 in the final.
