Thinley Namgay 

High Quality United FC (HQUFC) will play Paro United FC in the finals of the 2020 Bhutan Super League at the Changlimithang Stadium on March 21.

Paro United FC defeated Tensung FC in the semi- finals 4-2 in a penalty shoot out after the game ended 1-1 in regular time.

In a closely contested game, Tensung’s striker, Tshering Tashi, scored in an added minute of the first half.  Tensung FC were on their way to the finals with a slender lead until Paro United FC pulled a surprise equaliser when Sunil Rai scored in the 88th minute. No extra minute were added in the second half and referee decided for the penalty shoot.

Tensung missed two from the spot and lost 4-2 in the penalty.

The finals was never meant for the team from the Royal Bhutan Army. High Quality FC defeated Tensung FC 3-1 in the first semi-final match on March 14.

Despite losing the first semifinal to HQUFC, Tensung FC got the opportunity to play the semi-final against Paro United FC because of the advantage of second position in the league.

Bhutan Football Federation’s media and marketing Officer, Phuntsho Wangdi, said that the decision to let Tensung FC play two semi-finals was as per the BFF’s 2018 amendment on the qualification system which has a provision where the third and fourth position team from the league have to play against one another and then the winner has to play with the loser of the first semi- finals.

Meanwhile, HQUFC’s vice captain and midfielder, Tenzin Thinley, said that they had a good season and are prepared well to play the finals. “Reaching the finals for the second consecutive year is an achievement for our club.”

“We are looking forward to get the gold this season,” said Tenzin Thinley.

HQUFC topped the league round with 18 points followed by Tensung FC with 13 points.

Of the seven matches played in the league round, High Quality United FC won six and lost one. The club’s best performance this season was against College of Science and Technology (CST) FC with 10-0 drubbing of the college team. Druk Stars FC is the only club that defeated HQUFC  3-0 in the league round.

Tensung FC won four, drew one and lost two in the league.

The top goal scorers in the league round were all from the HQUFC. Yeshi Dorji scored 12 goals followed by Tenzin Thinley with seven goals and Tshering Dhendup with six goals.

Depending on the league points, HQUFC, Tensung FC, Paro United FC,  Drukstars FC, and  BFF Academy FC had booked the spot for the upcoming 2020 Bhutan Premier league.

Tensung FC won the Thimphu League last year and promoted to this season’s super league.

In their debut season, CST FC, Paro Rinpung FC, and Gomo FC, were  relegated to dzongkhag league.

A total of eight teams from Thimphu, Paro, Punakha and Phuentsholing  competed in the league that began on February 6.

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