By Kalsang Rinchen
Dharamsala, June 3 – As the 15th Gyalyum Chenmo memorial football tournament entered its fourth day today two more teams were knocked out of the contest putting the number of ousted teams at seven.
Today’s first match played between Bir United and Pokhra Tashi Pelkhyeling remained goalless in the first half but Pokhra looked the more dangerous of the two. When the play resumed from break Pokhra’s striker Norbu Dorjee took advantage of the nervous Bir United defenders and converted a cross into goal at the 49th minute of the game.
Some mild hooliganism was witnessed during the game as bottles were hurled on the field forcing police intervention but the game went ahead despite the disruption.
Some extraordinary goalkeeping by Pokhra’s custodian helped them maintain the one goal lead until last few minutes of the game but at the cost of his own injury that forced him out of the game. However, that substitution proved costly for them as Bir United scored the equalizer at 80th minute through Karma Topden to take the game into extra time for the first time in this tournament. The game appeared like it was heading for a penalty shootout but it was not to be as Bir United scored their second goal, and it was the same player who got Bir United back in the game through his equaliser. Pokhra were stunned by this sudden come back from their opponent who jubilated at the blow of the final whistle.
The second match today was equally interesting for the spectators that also included foreign tourists, local Indians, and Buddhist monks. TIPA (Tibetan Instititute of Performing Arts) and THFS (Tibetan Homes Foundation School were well matched but the lead was taken by TIPA when a miscommunication between THF defender and goalkeeper gave an opportunity for TIPA’s forward Jampa to hit a volley right into the net taking a one goal lead early in the game. But THF equalized minutes later through a hard-hitting volley from Kunga Dakpa who made no mistake in bringing his team back into the game. Minutes before the halftime, Dawa Tsering of TIPA who saw THF goalkeeper way out of his goal hit a well timed volley into the left corner of the goal snatching the lead once again.
Despite some brilliant chances in the second half THF failed to clinch the one goal they needed to take the game to extra time thus going out of the tournament, much to the disappointment of many fans who saw them as a probable contender this year for the Gold Cup.
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