Transport United, BOB national league champions, yet again disappointed the defending champions of the ongoing Pepsi Thimphu league, Thimphu City with a 3-1 win on May 9.
The loss ended Thimphu City’s winning streak to three games.
Thimphu City and Transport United played for the second time since the two clashed at the national league in August last year. Thimphu City lost to Transport United 3-6.
Three minutes into the game, Biren Basnet slotted the first goal.
Transport United kept the pressure on and after 24 minutes, Yeshi Dorji converted from a misplaced defensive work. The two settled for a 1-1 draw at the end of the first half.
Transport United had started with two strikers, Kencho Tobgay and Olayami Victor Bakare from Nigeria, placed in the attacking front after allowing two draws.
The former could not play the previous matches because of an injury and Olayami Victor Bakare was banned for two matches as he picked a red card.
Transport United coach Ngawang Dendup said the first match was costly. “We won the match but lost two strikers to injury and one striker was suspended. We had to play the past two matches without strikers. However, the match was satisfying.”
Transport United’s goal at the 59th minute from Olayami Victor Bakare was timely while Thimphu City’s threat from free kicks struck the woodworks and Hari Gurung blocked the rest.
Olayami Victor Bakare who scored the leading goals was named the man of the match. “I am happy and excited that I could prove the best of myself. I assured the win to my teammates in the training. Winning the league is our target and I hope the team would stick to the best,” he said.
The 27-year-old center forward from Nigeria that played football in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and India before joining Transport United said the league has become tough. “The strong players and altitude situation made the league one of the toughest leagues I have played.”
The player claimed the red card he received in the match against Thimphu FC was his first in his career as a footballer. “I was sad but it happened. I tried to rectify mistakes because it affects the team,” said Olayami Victor Bakara.
Suraj Saili, a young East Bengal B-division player scored the third goal in the dying minutes to seal the deal for Transport United.
“We have lost four points in last two matches but we hope that we can make up. We have our balanced squad now,” said Ngawang Dendup.
In another match, second-placed Thimphu FC beat Druk United with a lone goal from Dinesh Gurung in the 80th minute yesterday. Transport United is third with eight points after Thimphu FC and Thimphu City who have nine points each.
Nima