The first leg of the BoB Bhutan Premier League 2025 came to a thrilling close with Paro FC edging past RTC FC at Woochu Sports Arena yesterday. With all ten teams having played nine matches each, Paro FC have established a commanding lead at the top. However, the title race remains wide open as the league moves into its decisive second half. The second leg of the season is set to begin from Friday.
The final fixture of the first leg saw defending champions Paro FC continue their unbeaten streak with a 2-1 win against RTC FC at Woochu Sports Arena.
RTC took the lead just before halftime in the 45th minute, but Paro responded strongly in the second half equalizing in the 61st minute and sealing the win with a late goal in the 87th.
With this victory, Paro FC have won all 9 matches in the first leg of the double round-robin format, collecting the maximum 27 points, scoring 29 goals and conceding only 5.
Thimphu City FC remain in second place with 21 points, having secured 7 wins and 2 losses.
In their ninth-round match last Sunday, they defeated Transport United FC 2-0 at Changlimithang.
After a goalless first half, Thimphu City broke the deadlock in the 69th minute and added another in stoppage time.
As a result, Transport United dropped to third place with 18 points, registering 6 wins and 3 losses from their 9 matches.
RTC hold fourth place despite the narrow defeat to Paro, with 16 points. They continue to lead the league in goals scored, with 31 goals so far.
Meanwhile, BFF Academy dropped to fifth after a 3-1 loss to Thimphu City last Monday. Thimphu opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, BFF levelled in the 30th minute, but two quick goals in the 35th and 41st minutes sealed the win for Thimphu City.
BFF Academy conclude the first leg with 12 points, scoring 17 and conceding 16.
Ugyen Academy finish the first leg in sixth place with 10 points, having scored 14 goals and conceded 24.
Their final match ended in disappointment after suffering a heavy 8-1 defeat to RTC last Tuesday at the RTC turf.
In seventh place is Southern City FC, with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 6 losses. They have scored just 5 goals and conceded 14, putting them on 7 points.
In their ninth-round match against Ugyen Academy FC, both sides went into halftime goalless. However, Ugyen Academy found the breakthrough in the second half, scoring twice, while Southern City managed to pull one back.
Also on 7 points, but trailing on goal difference, are Tsirang FC. With just 1 win, 4 draws, and 4 losses, they have scored 5 goals and conceded 16.
In their final first-leg match last Saturday, Tsirang FC drew 1-1 with Tensung FC. Tensung opened the scoring in the 45th minute, but Tsirang equalized immediately after the break in the 46th.
Tensung FC also played out a dramatic draw in their ninth-round match against Samtse FC at home. They dominated the first half, scoring in the 10th, 17th, and 20th minutes to take a commanding 3–0 lead.
Samtse responded just before halftime with a goal in the 45th minute. The second half saw Samtse stage a comeback, scoring in the 84th and 90th minutes to level the match at 3–3.
With the draw, Tensung FC sit in ninth place with 5 points from 1 win, 2 draws, and 6 losses. They’ve scored 7 goals and conceded 21, giving them a goal difference of -14.
At the bottom of the table is Samtse FC, also on 5 points, but with the worst defensive record in the league. They were defeated by Paro FC in their ninth-round match, conceding two goals before halftime and four more in the second half. Samtse have now conceded 36 goals in nine matches, more than any other team while scoring just 9 in their final first-leg fixture.
With the first half of the season now behind us, Paro FC remain unbeaten at the top. But with another 9 matches to play, the second leg promises fierce competition not just in the fight for the title, but also in the battle to avoid relegation.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Phub Gyem
