RTC FC  3 – 0  UA FC 

Thinley Namgay

RTC Women’s FC commenced their Bhutan Women’s National League 2023 season with a 3-0 win against Ugyen Academy (UA) Women’s FC at the RTC ground yesterday.

RTC was able to grab three crucial points against adept UA FC. 

RTC celebrated an early goal in the 13th minute through striker Sonam Wangmo. Tshering Choden doubled the lead to end the first half 2-0. 

Sonam Wangmo scored her brace in the 83rd minute and sealed the game 3-0. 

Sonam Wangmo was declared the woman of the match. 

RTC’s coach Jigme said the teamwork paid off yesterday. “My players were confident. The opponent also gave a tough fight as they too have good players.” 

“I reshuffled the squad this season. Most players are sports scholarship students. There are some national players,” Jigme said, adding that the team had robust training and expects to do well in the upcoming games.

In the women’s league qualifier, UA beat RTC 2-1.  

UA’s coach Sujata Pradhan said the game would have been better yesterday had her three key players been available for the match. She said that three main players in midfield and defence were injured recently. “My girls tried their best. We will come strong in the remaining games.”

At the inaugural match on August 28, Transport United Ladies and Gelephu Girls Academy drew 2-2.  Girls Academy’s striker Deki Lhazom, who was declared the woman of the match, displayed a decisive play that day.    

Despite opponent celebrating an early goal in the 21st minute through Sunita Rai, Deki’s brace in the 76th and 77th minute changed the course of the game.     

With 2-1 lead, Girls Academy was on the verge of clinching a match, but the opponent equalised in the dying minute and shared a point each.

This year’s tournament has six teams,  UA Women’s FC, RTC Women’s FC, Samtse Women’s FC, Thimphu Women’s FC, Gelephu Girls Academy, and Transport United Ladies FC.

The top six teams were selected from the Bhutan Women’s National League Qualifier 2023.

Thimphu Women’s FC will face Samtse Women’s FC today at Changlimithang Stadium at 6PM.