When the final whistle was blown and the game went to the penalty shoot-out spectators murmured, “Highlanders are lucky in penalties.” They cruised past to the final winning in penalty shoot-out from the quarter-finals round. And the spectators were right. They defeated 8-Eleven in the final of the Second Thimphu Open Championship yesterday. The normal regulation game ended in 2-2.
The first five shoot-outs ended in draw (2-2) with both the goalkeepers making some flying saves. As the shoot-outs went on tension grew among the players themselves. Crowds cheered and jeered as nervous players came on to take the spot kick. The Eighth shooter of the 8-Eleven kicked direct making it easy for the Highlanders’ goalkeeper to save. As the hero of the Highlanders, the goalkeeper Sonam Tobgay, came forward to take the kick nervy colleagues held hands together. The composed goalkeeper’s shot at the left hand side of the corner handed them the title.
“Indeed he is the real hero for us,” said one of the elated highlanders, adding that since the quarter-finals Sonam Tobgay made some flying saves in the penalty shoot-outs. “Yet again in the finals,” said another one.
While some of the spectators said it was a surprise that Highlanders took home the title others said ‘they had all the luck’. Highlanders, all in mid-30s, would agree to it but they also added that they displayed their skills. “Skills and luck went together,” said one of them.
As the banners, scribbled “Highlanders…since 2001” fluttered in the chilling wind at Motithang School Ground, it wasn’t a matter to worry as they were awarded a cash prize of Nu. 35,000, a take-home trophy and some individual prizes as well.
The runners-up team won a trophy and a cash prize of Nu. 25,000.
Meanwhile, the highest scorer of the tournament in the league round was Vinod Tamang. He had scored 13 goals in 4 matches. He won a mountain bicycle.
A total of 28 teams participated in the tournament.
