33rd GOVERNOR’S GOLD CUP KICKS OFF

Dimapur United edge out Siniolchu in penalty shoot-out

GANGTOK, 30 Oct: Dimapur United Football Club [DUFC] edged out Siniolchu Football Club, Namchi in the inaugural match of the 33rd edition of All India Governor’s Gold Cup Football Tournament today here at Paljor Stadium. In the neck-to-neck played match, DUFC won the match in a tie-breaker.
Both the teams made constant attacks and counter-attacks right from the start of the match but both missed the net. In the additional time of 2 minutes in the first half, Rocky Singh scored the lead for DUFC.
In the second half, Siniolchu FC made constant attacks and finally the equalizer came in the 54th minute when Palman Rai headed his teammate’s cross into the goal. Despite some good opportunities for both the teams, the match ended in a draw of 1-1 at full time.
During the 30 minutes extra-time, both the teams again scored one goal each. Bikash Thapa scored for Siniolchu FC, while Bapan Bhera scored for DUFC. Finally, in the penalty shoot-out DUFC managed to get all the 5 shots in while Siniolchu missed one shot to hand the match over to DUFC.
With this win, DUFC has advanced to the quarter-final round of the tournament and Siniolchu FC is out of the tournament.
The inaugural day had the Sports Minister, NK Pradhan as the chief guest, while Chief Secretary, Karma Gyatso was present as the guest of honour.
In the next match, State Sports Academy will take on BSF Jalandhar tomorrow.
A total of 12 teams from different parts of the country including 3 from Sikkim are taking part in the tournament. The other participating teams are Calcutta Customs, Army Green, BSF Jalandhar, Mohun Bagan SAIL, Bhawanipur Kolkata, Three Star Nepal, Southern Samiti, Langshing FC, State Sports Academy and debutant I-League team from Sikkim, United Sikkim Football Club.
Meanwhile, in the All Sikkim Women’s Football Tournament, Norbugang [West] will take on Tsomgo [East] tomorrow at 12:15 PM at Paljor Stadium. A total of eight teams, two teams from each district, are taking part in the women’s tournament.