USFC returns to train for final challenge en route to main I-League

TEAM ACCORDED WARM WELCOME BY FANS AT RANGPO
SAGAR CHHETRI
RANGPO: The United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] was accorded a grand welcome at Rangpo today. The team is returning to Sikkim after having topped its pool in the qualifying round of the second division I-League. They will now be playing in a final pool of eight qualifying teams, the top-2 of which will make it through to the main I-League this season itself.
The USFC played six qualifying matches in its pool and won 4 matches, lost one and drew another which was enough for the team to top the pool and qualify for the final round of the second division.
The reception at Rangpo was organized by members of USFC Fans Club and Rangpo-based organizations and the team was escorted to Gangtok in a convoy lead by motorcycles.

Indian skipper Bhaichung Bhutia, Rennedy Singh, Bijen Singh and the coach, Stanely Rozario, will be joining the team on Sunday for the training sessions.
Addressing a function at Rangpo, Senior Manager, Arjun Rai, mentioned that the main target of the club was still to be achieved since getting into the qualifying round was only the first success.
He added that the main target of the clubs is to qualify from the final round scheduled to start in Shillong from 25 April and break into the I-League.
He mentioned that the weather condition in Shillong is similar to Gangtok, so have the team has decided to go train here before leaving for the final round.
Mr Rai expressed his gratitude for the warm reception on their home coming.
Team Captain, Johnny D Menyongar, said the team has done its best to make Sikkim proud in the qualifying round and will continue with to do the best to take USFC into the I-League.
He also expressed his gratitude on behalf of the players on the warm reception.
A team member from Sikkim, Nim Tshering Lepcha, mentioned that a good tea effort helped USFC cross the qualifying round of the second division and the team was quite confident it will also qualify the final round.
“We will continue playing with the same enthusiasm and passion for the club to take it into the main I-League”, he said.
On the occasion, president, Sikkim Bihari Jagaran Manch, Swaminath Prasad, president, Lions Club of Rangpo, Devanand Agarwal and a member of Youth Association of Rangpo, Mohammad Khalid, congratulated the team on their performance in the tournament so far.
They further extended their best wishes for the upcoming matches in the tournament.
USFC scored 15 goals, of which 07 were scored by Budhiram Tadu who is the highest goal scorer in the pool.
Of the eight teams in the final round, the top two will get promoted to I-League.