Led by veteran national goalkeeper Pushpalal Sharma and the defense line made strong after signing three international players from Nepal, Paro Football Club humbled Paro United FC 18-2 aggregate to play BOB national league 2018.

The win confirmed Paro FC with the only one spot dzongkhag has to play in the national league.

Paro United FC was the only club to play the national league from Paro Sports Association until last year. With the start of the two-legged playoffs from this edition, the clubs from Paro has a qualification round to be played before proceeding to the national league. 

Paro FC started their national league triumph at their new home ground located near Woochu with 10-2 thrashing of Paro United FC that played national league for three consecutive years.

The club continued with strong form in the second leg when they played away match at Shaba ground, the ground that served as the home ground for Paro United FC for last three years. Paro FC defeated Paro United FC 8-0 away.

In the two-legged play-offs, the two international signings of Paro FC, George Prince and Nawaygo Shersetha proved successful. They were named the man of man match during playoffs.

Paro FC coach, Pushpalal Sharma, said that the club is excited after securing a spot to play in the national league. “We had a good number of reserve players and also gave them a chance to play,” he said.

Considered one of the toughest leagues in the country that plays local clubs from four different dzongkhag of Thimphu, Punakha, Paro and Chukha, the league crowned only one champion, Ugyen Academy FC from Punakha in 2013, from the clubs outside Thimphu so far.

Competition officer Kinley Dorji with Bhutan Football Federation said that the increasing number of teams competing for the national league championship shows the development and improvement of football away from the capital city.

However, he added that the national league would be able to take in only one club from other dzongkhag and plans to reduce the number of Thimphu league clubs intake in future. The league currently takes in three clubs from Pepsi Thimphu league.

“Until the federation is able to set up own league in the respective dzongkhags the national will be able to slot only one spot to the clubs from other dzongkhags. The club to play in national will be determined after the play-off’s results,” said Kinley Dorji. 

Nima