Staff reporter
Paro FC (Tigers) defeated Tensung FC 3-0 to level up with the defending champions, Thimphu City FC, in the ongoing BoB Bhutan Premier League, at the Changlimithang Stadium yesterday.
Paro FC’s Yeshi Dorji scored an early goal in the sixth minute with an assist from skipper Jigme Tshering Dorji. Five minutes later, an error from Tensung’s defender, Nidup Dorji, gave the Tigers a 2-0 lead.
Tensung were provided with an opportunity to get back in the game after the referee pointed to the spot following a handball from one of Paro’s players inside the box. However, striker Ngawang Tobgay could not capitalise on the opportunity.
Tensung resorted to a defensive approach in the second half. The new gameplay did work in favour of the soldiers, but only for a while. Paro’s young striker, Tobden Drakpa, managed to break through the soldiers’ defence to make it 3-0 for the Tigers in the 76th minute.
Paro FC’s head coach, Puspalal Sharma, said that winning the three points from an away game was encouraging. He said that the opponents did manage to intercept a lot of their ‘penetrative passes’ in the second half.
Paro defeated Tensung 5-0 at home during the first round on July 15.
Tensung’s coach, Namgay Tshering, said that the outcome of the match could have been different had they capitalised on the penalty. He added that the absence of his goalkeeper after an injury also made a difference in the game. “All in all, despite the loss, our boys played well.”
With 35 points each, Thimphu City FC and Paro FC are currently leading the league. The defending champions however remain on top of the league table as of yesterday, on goal difference. Thimphu City thrashed Paro Rinpung FC 10-1 on Saturday at the Woochu Sports Arena in Paro.
Transport United FC will face Gelephu FC tomorrow at the Changlimithang Stadium.
Edited by Tshering Palden