Thinley Namgay  

Beating Ugyen Academy (UA) Women’s FC 2-1 in Punakha yesterday, Sunrise Women’s FC lifted the 2021 Kelme Bhutan Women’s Football League trophy without losing a single match.

Five minutes into the game, UA opened the score catching the visitors by surprise. Winger Kezang Wangmo found the net from near the post when striker Tshering Yangden’s shot from the corner deflected from teammate Sunita Rai.

UA’s lead was short-lived.  Fifteen minutes later, Sunrise found the equaliser through striker Galey Wangmo.  The first half ended 1-1.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 57th minute. Midfielder Pema Choden Tshering slotted from near the post when the goalie spilt the ball following a corner kick from Sunrise.

UA women fought hard but it was not their day. This was their second loss to the Sunrise who beat them 1-0 at Changlimithang earlier in the tournament.




Sunrise was awarded a cash prize of Nu 500,000 with a trophy.  UA received Nu 300,000 with a trophy.

UA coach Denka was not satisfied with the performance. “I was confident that it would be a win for us but it didn’t turn out as I planned. We will come back stronger next season.”

“UA didn’t face many challenges, but we lacked players to play in their position. For instance, I had to put players who played in defence in a forward position. We had to adjust some players,” Denka said.

Sunrise player Pema Choden Tshering said: “I think both teams couldn’t play their best game because of the ground, but it was a really good game. I could sense everyone played their hearts out.”




“UA gave us a really good fight,” Pema Choden Tshering said.

Six teams from Thimphu, Paro, and Punakha competed in the tournament. Also, for the first time this year, the women’s league is being conducted in a home-and-away format.  The tournament, organised by Bhutan Football Federation, began on October 9.

The tournament’s most valuable player was Namgyel Dema of Sunrise, and UA’s Tshering Yangden with 29 goals declared the top scorer of the tournament.

Edited by Tshering Palden

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