Denied the title for two years in succession, the star-studded Bandra college narrowly beat Khalsa 2-1 to become university champions. Strikes in either half by their pro-league players, Imchen Lanuchuba (Central Railway) and Khalid Jamil (Air-India), bracketed Agnelo Fernandes' opportunistic lob for Khalsa.

Rizvi coach Ajud Banerjee said after the match, ``The smaller Azad Maidan ground hampered us.

The boys could not play an open game. A larger ground could have seen more exciting action.''

The match was moved to the Mumbai Schools ground after water-logging had rendered the original venue, University Pavilion, unplayable.

The start was electrifying. Lanuchuba booted in an indirect off a free-kick to put Rizvi 1-0 ahead in the third minute. It raised visions of a Rizvi swamp; but the doughty Khalsa boys hadother ideas. They probed ahead, and soon forced a defence error. Savio Laban's clearing header was ill-timed, the ball landing behind him. Savio's guilt turned to grief when Agnelo Fernandes, lurking nearby, lobbed the ball over the onrushing Rizvi custodian.

The loud Khalsa cheering squad, complete with a band, broke into celebrations as Agnelo performed a celebratory lap.

With Rizvi struggling to find rhythm, and Khalsa surprisingly falling back in defence, the remainder of the first half was consumed by didactic play in the cramped mid-field.

The second half was fought almost entirely in the Khalsa half, with Rizvi's full back Sunil Rajak stationed on the half-line; such was Rizvi's aggression. Khalsa's retorts were restricted to half-hearted counter-attacks. But Rizvi erred in channelling all attacks through the heavily manned left flank, making it easier for a 10-man Khalsa defence. Poor finishing also undid their efforts.

Imchen was to miss four, including a lob that had 'keeper Amit Mehrotrabeaten.

The ball bounced wide. Imchen followed it with a dazzling solo run, bypassing two players, but shot wide again. The Nagaland native, shaking his head, said after the match, ``So many chances I missed. Coach Irenio Vaz (Central Railway) is going to shout at me.''

The winner came in the 65th minute after Imchen seemed to have frittered one more run from the left. The Khalsa clearance did not clear Melwyn Vaz who crossed to Khalid, who boomed it in on the pivot. The ball hit the right post...and ricocheted in.

MITHIBAI THIRD: Earlier, a hat-trick by captain Lance Fonseca helped Mithibai drub holders Siddharth 5-1 in the play-off for the third place. For coach Mithibai Remy Fernandes, his team's victory was no consolation after the disappointment of defeat in the semi-finals at the hands of Khalsa. ``We should have been in the final,'' he said, while dejectedly watching Khalsa, whom they had lost to by a solitary goal in the semis, take on Rizvi.Results

Final: Rizvi 2 (ImchenLanuchuba, Khalid Jamil) bt Khalsa 1 (Agnelo Fernandes); Third place: Mithibai 5 (Lance Fonseca 3, Karl Driver, Savio Alba) bt Siddharth 1 (Amol Khaire)