DHARAMSHALA, June 4: Tournament favourites Ghangjong FC, Shillong failed to hold on to their nerves in the fourth quarterfinal match of the 18th Gyalyum Chenmo Memorial Gold Cup Football tournament yesterday, losing out to Phakshing FC, Kathmandu.
Shillong got off on the right foot with Tenzin Wangdhen, number 10, scoring the fastest goal of the tournament in the 2nd minute after capitalising on a mistake by the Kathmandu defence.
But the team from Nepal proved up to the task, with Tsering Dorjee, number 11, providing the equaliser, six minutes later with some brilliant footwork.
This was the first goal conceded by Shillong in the tournament.
In the 18th minute of the match Shillong’s seamless defence was once again penetrated when Tenzin Yonten, 23, came head on with the goalkeeper. The goalie did well to block the strike with a sliding effort but the ball bounced back to the Phakshing striker, who with some help from the Shillong defender, scored the second goal for his team.
Fighting for a place in the semi finals, Shillong managed to find the equaliser in the 35th minute when Tenzin Wangden, number 10, scorched the ball past the Kathmandu keeper.
Although the scores were level at the beginning of the second half of the match, the onslaught from Kathmandu proved too much for team Shillong. Passing the ball well and playing according to plan, Phakshing scored twice in the second half of the match to register a berth in the semis.
Tenzin Yonten netted his second goal of the match in the 25th minute while Jamyang Tenzin, 7, drove the last nail in Shilong’s coffin in the 31st minute. At the end of the match, the scores read 4 – 2 in Kathmandu’s favour.
In the third quarterfinal match, Phuntsokling FC, Orissa played like champions, to beat Goa Tibetan FC.
Orissa had emerged victorious from arguably the toughest pool of the tournament, going past TDL Sports Club Bylakuppe and former champions Doeguling FC, Mundgod.
Tsewang Namgyal, 17, scored twice for Orissa to take his team 4 – 2 up against Goa. Scoring his fifth goal in the tournament in the quarterfinals, Jangchub Gyaltsen, 7, is now at level with Pokhara’s Norbu Dorjee for the top goal scorer’s honour.
Both semifinal matches will be played today at the Upper Tibetan Children’s Village School grounds.
Tashi Phalkhiel Sports Club (Pokhara) will meet TCV United for the first semis while Phuntsokling FC, Orissa will play Phakshing FC, Kathmandu for a place in the finals.
The finals will be played on Tuesday, June 5, at 15.00 IST.
*phayul had made all the arrangements to webcast the final match live but due to technical problems, it will not be streaming the match live. Inconvenience is deeply regretted.
