Although it lost the match, Phuentsholing City FC scored its first goal of the championship yesterday in the ongoing National league against Transport United at the Changlingmithang stadium.
Phuentsholing City could not find a win after playing three matches in the ongoing national league. However, the club successfully registered its first goal in the 82nd minute when striker Ngawang Jamtsho found a chip shot past the goalkeeper, bringing down two defenders in the penalty area.
The match ended 3:1 in favor of Transport United.
Ngawang Jamtsho said he was excited as he could score an opener for the team. “The goal is of the team and it made us more confident. We are looking forward to performing better in the remaining matches,” he said.
Team manager and coach of Phuentsholing City, Tandin Penjor, said, that his squad couldn’t perform better in the league so far as the players did not get time to practice together. “The team performed better today because most of them played here before,” he said.
Phuenstholing City, which is taking part for the first time in a national league, was two goals down in first half. The team played against a much stronger and fast paced team based at Thimphu
Although the team left most of its starting players on the bench, Transport United dominated the first half. The team found an opener in 19 minutes and its newly signed foreign player, Ong Tshering Lepcha, scored his first goal in the 44th minute.
Transport United Coach, Ngawang Dhendup said, the team has learnt from mistakes it has made in Thimphu league. “The team’s coordination is improving and we have the maximum squad to replace the players in case of injury,” he said.
Phuentsholing City has three players included in the squad from the border areas. They are confident that the team’s performance would improve as they plan to practice more during the first three-week break of the league.
Ugyen Academy Football Club from Punakha is on the top of the league table with six points. The team defeated Phuentsholing City and Paro United winning both games. The leading goal scorer to date is Chuma Dorji Lepcha from Ugyen Academy Football Club with six goals in two matches.
Ugyen Academy Coach Kinley Dorji said he is confident about the squad as the team consists of young players. A coach from Switzerland is also coaching the team.
Ugyen Academy FC will play Thimphu FC tomorrow.
Nima