Futsal: At the final match of Recovery Futsal Cup’s third season at the Changlimithang parking lot in Thimphu Saturday, Kuenjung FC defeated the two-time defending champions Pep City FC to become the new champions.

Kuenjung FC dominated the first half of the game with maximum ball possession and quick one-touch play. Kuenjung FC made four on-target attempts against just one of Pep City FC.

However, less than a minute into the second half of the game, Pep City FC took the lead with a goal from Karma Yeshey. City had the control of the game for much of the half with strong defence line. Kuenjung were allowed shots only from difficult distance.

In the dying seconds of the game, Kuenjung’ striker Ugyen Jamtsho, the highest scorer of the tournament, flicked in a long-ball from one of his team mates into City’s net.

The teams levelled for penalty shootout.

It was a tense moment when two off-target shots from each team tied the score. Then it was the two goalies who went against each other to decide the faith of their teams.

Tshering Dorji stepped up to take the fifth penalty shot for Kuenjung FC and successfully converted the spot kick.

City’s goalie Karma Yeshi failed to convert the spot kick. And that was that for City. The two-time champions reeled on the ground as the new champions celebrated victory.

The ten-day Recovery Cup Tournament was organised by the Nazhoen Pelri Drop-in Centre with the theme “Run, sweat, say no to drugs.”

Jigme Wangchuk, peer-counselor with Drop-in Centre and the organiser of the tournament, said that the main objective of organising the tournament was to engage the youth gainfully during summer vacation and to help them keep away from unhealthy practices.

“We want to reduce social crimes by engaging the youth in healthy activities and keep them away from drugs and alcohol,” he said.

Although the tournament was a big success where eight new teams participated this year, Jigme said that ground was the main problem. “Letting the players compete on road with cars running continuously nearby was dangerous,” he said.

Kuenjung’s skipper Purna Kumar said that the game against City was difficult. “We didn’t have much time to practice but we played as a team and I think that is what made us winners today,” he said.

Kuenjung took away the champions’ trophy along with individual medals, certificate and cash prize of Nu 20,000. The runners took home a trophy, medals, certificate and a cash of Nu 17,000.

Junior FC took the fair play trophy.

Younten Tshedup