East Bengal's striker Bekhokhei right footed volley from a right flank cross did all the magic in the 62nd minute against Kerala in the last prequarterfinal game to take Mizoram into the quarter final for the first time in 64th edition of senior national football championship.
The resurgent northeast side, who surprised Indian Railways in the previous qualifying play when mideo Lalrinfela scored the winner had set date with five times winners Kerala.
A pre-match favourites Kerala after conceding the goal tried their best but wall erected by the Mizo defence was too tight to crack in the remaining 28 minutes.
Mizoram will now face another southern state Tamil Nadu on July 30.
Kerala, a twelve time finalists, were looked clueless after conceding the goal and faltered everytime when they moved for final killing. Kerala after an impressive win against Uttarakhand in their opening encounter, went on to hammer Himachal Pradesh 10-0 before giving some football lessons to Assam in their final group league encounter with a facile 5-2 victory to see them through to prequarter finals.
Mizoram's move to last eight was a saga with 1-3 down to Orissa, fought back brilliantly trouncing Bihar 10-0 before upsetting Railways by a solitary goal.
Mizoram's some individual talents in the form of Churchill Brothers winger Lalrinfela, F.Lalrinpuia, East Bengal striker Beikhokhei and Dempo midfielder Jerry Zirsanga combining well to undo soccer giants Kerala for the first time.
In the first quarter finals play Goa will take on Karnataka, and Services play against Punjab on Thursday.