Social media was splashed with local football golden boy Chencho Gyeltshen, as fans poured out their joy and support for his goal that saved his club Bengaluru FC’s unbeaten run in the Indian Super League (ISL).

Chencho Gyeltshen, fondly called CG7 after the international football superstar Christiano Ronaldo, thanked his fans, family and supporters of his club both in India and at home.

Chencho Gyeltshen said that his first goal after joining Bengaluru FC in the Hero ISL could not have happened without the immense love, support and prayers from fans back at home.

“I feel very privileged and honored to score this goal and it is dedicated to all my supporters across the world,” he said. 

“This is not the end, I will keep working hard.”

The Bhutanese forward was declared the man of the match for his goal that helped his club snatch a last minute draw (1-1) against the rival league leader, North East United on December 5 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Assam.

Chencho Gyeltshen came in substitution at the 71st minute and scored an overhead strike that finished behind the net in injury time and helped Bengaluru FC record ninth games unbeaten.

The chances came earlier for Chencho Gyeltshen to find the equaliser when Xisco Hernandez assisted him with a chest ball. However, Chencho’s volley missed the target by inches.

The media reported his coach from Spain, Carles Cuadrat saying that his substitutions worked better than North East United’s. “I am happy that we have got Chencho who got us the goal and Lewis gave the cross that arrived for Sunil that gave the assist. I am happy that the substitutions worked for us.”

The Bengaluru FC extended their lead to four points ahead of the second-placed North East United FC.

The Blues won all three games since he started in absence of Fedor Miku. Chencho’s equaliser against North East United FC was his first ISL goal after playing the league since September 29.

The lone professional player from Bhutan had to keep his level of play almost equal to Venezuelan professional footballer, Fedor Miku who has the experience of playing in one of the premier professional football leagues in Spain, La Liga for about a decade.

Playing in the forward position along with Asian players like Sunil Chhetri and the league’s slot to play five foreign players filled by other foreign players in midfield and defense positions, Chencho Gyeltshen was left on the bench in the early part of the season.

Fedor Miku’s absence from the squad because of an injury was a blessing for young players like Chencho Gyeltshen and Udanta Singh in Bengaluru FC who managed to score an opener against Pune City and a winner against Delhi Dynamos.

The lone Bhutanese striker in ISL signed with the Blues for a year, early this year from Minerva Punjab FC, which won Indian League on his debut. Chencho Gyeltshen played a vital role in the Minerva Punjab’s win and also won I-league’s best forward award during the 2017-18 season.

The striker attributed his performance to the support from his coach and supporters.

Before the expected dates of Fedor Miku’s return with the squad after rehabilitation, Chencho Gyeltshen is likely to start against Mumbai City FC come Sunday and against Atletico De Kolkata on December 13.

Nima 

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