Ugyen Academy Football Club (FC) missed the chance to go top after narrowly losing out to Thimphu FC, yesterday. Meanwhile in Paro, Thimphu City came from behind to defeat Paro United 2-1.
As flood lights beamed on the Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu FC and Ugyen Academy FC were locked in a tussle to gain supremacy in the match. A win would take Ugyen Academy to the top, while a win for Thimphu FC would keep them in touch with the leaders.
There was no separating the two teams at the halftime. Second half kicked off in a similar fashion with both teams attacking the opposition goal to gain upper hand. Plenty of miss passes and missed opportunities was highlight of the match. Thimphu FC stepped up their game and in the 67th minute, they got what was the decisive goal in the match.
Ugyen Academy pushed for the equalising goal but to no avail. Then came the final whistle. 1-0 is how it finished, first win for Thimphu FC and a lot of positives to take away for the head coach.
“Now the players are understanding my tactics. We have been training quite frequently and today, the players were able to pay as per the game plan,” said Kota, the Head Coach of Thimphu FC.
However, the losing team’s Head Coach, Kinley Dorji underlined how lots of miss passes by the players hindered them to win the match.
“Actually we wanted to play short passes by using midfield more. We couldn’t create chances for the strikers. The chances created were overworked by the strikers. Most players forgot about passing and started showing off to the large crowd in Thimphu. That is not how we play usually.”
In the other match played at the Shaba ground, Thimphu City were losing 1-0 at halftime. However, second half goals from Captain Tshering Dorji and English Defender Vincent Deacon sealed a 2-1 victory for Thimphu City. Thimphu City now leads the race on goal difference over Transport United. Ugyen Academy FC is languishing in third place. As for bottom placed Phuntsholing City, a lot of thinking and improvements to do before they can challenge the teams above them.
Matches this weekend, promises some fiery encounters. Thimphu City will take on Thimphu FC, while Transport United will host Ugyen Academy. Paro United will travel to Phuentshogling on Sunday in a bid to register their first win.
