Governor’s Gold Cup kicks off

GANGTOK, 07 Nov: The 34th edition of the All India Governor’s Gold Cup Football Tournament was kicked off by the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling here at Paljor Stadium this afternoon. The tournament is being organized by Sikkim Football Association [SFA].
In the inaugural match, Tata Football Academy outplayed Sikkim Football Association XI 4-0. Even as the home team was cheered on by the crowd comprising largely of students, the team failed to score even as its defence crumbled often under the Tata FA attack.
TFA took an early lead in the match with a goal from N Sangij Kumar in the 9th minute. As the home team tried to come back in the match, TFA’s Manash Sarkar extended the scoreline to 2-0 and with another goal from Udanta Singh in the 44th minute, TFA finished the first half with a 3-0 lead.
In the 60th minute shortly after the drinks break, Manash Sarkar completed his brace and extended the TFA lead to an unassailable 4-0. The home team tried their best to come back in the match but could not score.
With this win TFA has progressed to the second round of the tournament, while the home team has been knocked out of the tournament. In the second round, TFA will take on NISA Manipur on 11 November.
SFA-XI, captained by Sishir Karthak, is a team put together by the organisers from players drawn from various clubs here after Sikkim Police, the second local team to qualify for this year’s Gold Cup, could not participate since it is away playing in the All India Police Meet.
On Friday, ONGC-Mumbai will take on Kalighat Club at 2 p.m.
A total of 16 teams are taking part in the tournament. The final match of the tournament is scheduled for 21 November.