Guwahati, Oct 9: For Horen Engti, the task was simple: make the girls believe in themselves and recognise their potential. Two days after Assam Under-16 girls created history by winning the Dr Talimeren Ao Junior Girls’ National Football Championship (NFC) Tier 2 for the first time, the head coach said the team had always possessed the talent and determination needed to succeed.

What they lacked was the confidence to translate that potential into results. Assam defeated the Sports Authority of India (SAI) 3-2 in a penalty shootout in the final at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama ground in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, on October 6.

“We had never won this tournament, so I told the girls that if they could win, they would become part of history. Everyone would talk about them.

Their clubs, districts and the Assam Football Association would all feel proud. It is great to see that the girls worked hard, put things together on the field and the results followed,” Engti told The Assam Tribune from Kolkata while returning home with the team.

Assam produced an impressive campaign on their way to the title. They began with a commanding 22-0 victory over Himachal Pradesh before overcoming Mizoram 2-1 and Madhya Pradesh 4-0.

In the semifinals, Assam edged past Goa in a penalty shootout to set up the title clash against SAI, where they held their opponents to a goalless draw before prevailing on penalties. For Engti, the triumph carries significance beyond the trophy, particularly because several players come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

“Most of the girls come from economically backward backgrounds. If they do well, they have much more scope to do well in the days to come,” he said.

The coach also turned to football’s global icons to inspire his players, using videos of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as part of the team's motivational process. “Yes, that has been part of the process.

Our slogan is ‘Joi Aai Asom’, and that is how we proceeded. I think we need to keep that momentum going.

If the Under-16 girls can do it, why can’t other teams in Assam do it?” said Engti, a native of Diphu.

The championship-winning squad brought together players from Karbi Anglong, Bodol and and districts of Upper Assam, reflecting the spread of footballing talent across the State. “It was great to be part of the scouting process.