SM United and Bulls lead the tournament as of yesterday
Thinley Namgay
Alum FC humbled Abbas United 8-1 in the ongoing Thimphu Open Football Championship on December 13 at the Changlimithang Stadium.
Alum FC scored three goals in the first half followed by another five in the next. Phurba Wangchuk netted a double hattrick, and Tshering Wangdi snatched a brace. The opponent could manage only one in the dying minutes through Arun Rai.
Abbas United’s skipper Sharun Kumar Majhi said: “Our performance was not good so far. I am sure that we will not qualify for the quarterfinals as we lost four consecutive matches so far in the league round.”
“Our club is new, and we couldn’t do much practice due to the Covid-19 as expected. However, it’s interesting to play in a tournament, and we hope to play better next year,” said Sharun Kumar Majhi.
Meanwhile, Druk Lhayul thrashed Lhagyal 16-1 at the same venue. Druk Lhayul snatched six points, and Lhagyal is still without a single point.
This is the 10th season of the tournament which started in 2010. Considering the Covid-19 pandemic situation, the games are held behind closed doors at a centralised venue.
Fourteen teams from Thimphu are taking part in the tournament that began on November 19. Teams are divided into pool A and B.
SM United (pool A), and Bulls (pool B) lead the tournament with 12 points each from four games.
Organiser Tshering Nidup said: “In the ninth season, more than 40 teams participated, but nowadays, more futsal grounds are coming up in the capital and attracting more football enthusiasts. The charge for the futsal ground is cheaper.”
Of the 48 matches, 26 matches were completed as of December 13. Only one player from the Bhutan Premier League is allowed to play in the tournament.
Each team paid an entry fee of Nu 35,000. The winners will take home Nu 100,000 and Nu 60,000 is for the runners up. The tournament will end on January 9.