Siniolchu and Share begin I-League pre-season with a friendly

GANGTOK, 25 July: Siniolchu Sikkim Football Club, Namchi, played a friendly match with Share Football Club of Kalimpong this afternoon here at Paljor Stadium. The match ended in goalless draw and had the Sikkim Football Association president, BK Roka, as chief guest.
Interestingly, both the teams have also been preparing itself to play in the I-League Second Division next year.
Speaking to media persons today, SSFC president, Arjun Rai, mentioned that they invited the Kalimpong club for a friendly match played on the theme “Football for Brotherhood”.
He mentioned that the club will also be travelling to Kalimpong to play a return match and will also be playing with other clubs of Sikkim in the near future. He mentioned that the main objective was to provide a platform and extend more opportunities to club players to play with different clubs.
Mr. Rai mentioned that the club has been preparing itself to play I-League second division next year. He shared that the club plans to play I-League with a full set of local players. “Our players are talented and have potential to play well against any type of competition,” he added. He informed that the club has also started paying salaries to its players.
SSFC is based in Namchi and has Allen Bhutia as chief coach. The club was 2-time Sikkim-League champions in the past.

SECOND DIVISION I-LEAGUE PRELIMS

Hindustan FC and Bhawanipore register wins
GANGTOK, 09 Feb: Hindustan FC and Bhawanipore FC registered wins today in the ongoing preliminary round of the Second Division I-League here at Paljor Stadium. Both teams won 3 points each with their wins today.
In the first match of the day, Hindustan FC outplayed Aizawl FC 2-1. Kamsun Kabui and OO Solo scored one goal each for Hindustan FC, while the face saver goal for Aizawl FC was scored by S Lalmunzai in the injury time of the match.
In the other match, Bhawanipore FC edged past Eagles FC 2-0 to win 3 points. With the help of Deepak’s goal Bhawanipore FC finished the first half with a 1-0 lead. Despite many attacks Eagles FC failed to score in the second half and a goal from Sneharish Mohanraj during the injury time sealed Bhawanipore’s victory with a score of 2-0.
On 11 February, the first match will be played between Aizawl FC and Bhawanipore FC, which will be followed by the other match between Hindustan FC and Kenkre FC.

USFC’s I-League berth uncertain, but no uncertainty on commitment to Sikkim

BHAICHUNG SAYS HE HAS NO REGRETS FOR BACKING USFC AND SIKKIM; LOOKS FORWARD TO WHAT FUTURE HOLDS
GANGTOK, 14 May: His club’s I-League debut ending in relegation notwithstanding, United Sikkim Football Club co-owner, Bhaichung Bhutia, shared today that he was proud of what the club, its management and its players managed to achieve despite their lack of experience and paucity of funds. Addressing a press conference here today, Bhaichung said that he drew deep satisfaction from his Sikkim club having broken into the elite club of I-League teams, having played against the best in the country and hosted them at Paljor Stadium. Some of the bigger clubs were returning to Sikkim after nearly a decade while some other had never even played here, Bhaichung pointed out.
As for relegation from senior division I-League, which should have been automatic, Bhaichung informed today that this was still uncertain because of some new developments at AIFF which was dropping ONGC and Air India for failing to meet some criteria and also likely to give direct entry to two new franchise teams. The AIFF is the process of inviting bids for the franchise teams and in this fluid scenario, relegation options too are uncertain, he said.
A final picture should emerge over the next two weeks, Bhaichung informed, stating that there was still an outside chance that USFC will remain in the senior division I-League.
Bhaichung also mentioned that the USFC was a private company now with around 70% of its shares with a Dubai-based company, Fidelis World.
“The club might remain in the I-League or not, but will always remain in Sikkim and continue to give priority to local footballing talents by providing them with a good platform and better exposure,” he assured.
In fact, Bhaichung shared today that the club’s relegation from the I-League would be a blessing in disguise for him as this would free up his scheduled enough to allow him to spend more time in Sikkim and work on his vision and dream for football in the state.
He said that he saw it as his duty to reach the interiors to promote football and tap rural talent. He pointed out that he himself hails from rural Sikkim and benefitted from opportunities opened for him. He was to reciprocate his gesture many times over for the current crop of football talent in rural Sikkim.
“I will dedicate much more time to youngster and talented footballers especially those from rural areas to provide them a better exposure and platform and if possible send these children outside the state for better training,” Bhaichung said. 
He mentioned that the club has been helping out football academies around the state and would continue to support them and raise funds for them.
“My ultimate dream is to have all eleven players in the USFC squad from Sikkim and see that team as among the strongest in the country,” he said.
On the club’s rather disappointing debut in the senior division, Bhaichung mentioned that lack of experience was one reason since no one in the USFC line-up, including its foreign players, came with an I-League experience. And then there was the question of finances, with the club not being as flush with funds as they would have wanted to be, primarily because corporate sponsorship did not deliver as required.
The foreign players and coach have already been released with the end of the I-League season and the fate of the club, in as much as the scale of its future endeavors, remains uncertain.
Responding to media queries on whether USFC will play in the second division to work its way back to I-League, Bhaichung said that it was a big struggle for the team especially in terms of money as it was difficult to convince big companies from outside to invest in football. He said that this was not only a problem in Sikkim, but a situation across the country. He said that earlier, even in the second division the team had good players and investors.
Responding to a question, Bhaichung added that being a private company the club has never expected or depended on the government but if the government was to support the club, it would be welcomed because it would directly benefit local footballers and other people earning their livelihoods from the club.
On the question on the progress of his proposed football academy in Sikkim, he informed that the file was still under process with the government department. He mentioned that if the sports academy came up, it would be good for the state and for football in the state.
“I have no any regrets on setting up the club in the state despite the many big challenges we faced in bringing the club to this position. I am also really sorry to hardcore fans of the club for having been relegated in the I-League,” he said.

USFC ends I-League debut with 3-0 loss against Mohun Bagan

GANGTOK, 11 May: Bhaichung’s United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] completed its debut I-League season today with a match against Mohun Bagan here at Paljor Stadium. The last match brought no changes either in the ranking or number of points for USFC as it went down 3-0 to Mohun Bagan ad now stares at relegation. The match had Chief Minister Pawan Chamling as chief guest and although the stands were largely empty, it received an interestingly crowd of Bengali supporters [tourists perhaps], most of whom were, still more interestingly, cheering for Bhaichung’s USFC.
USFC finishes its senior division I-League debut on last position, ranked 14th with its 15 points from 26 matches, having registered only two wins, suffered 15 losses and managed 09 draws.
Mohun Bagan fielded its regular squad having the most expensive striker of Indian football, Odafa Onyeka Okolie, and Indian football team stopper, local lad Nirmal Chettri, Quinton Norman Jacobs, who played for USFC last season, and other popular players of MB against the regular squad of the USFC. The home team gave a strong fight, but today was obviously not its day. 
An early goal by Nirmal Chettri, who converted a long range shot from the right flank in the 9th minute itself, took Mohun Bagan ahead.
Even as USFC was trying to pull the lead back, the referee offered a penalty shot to the visitors in the 71st minute which was converted by striker, Odafa Onyeka Okolie. Substitute Tolgay Ozbey extended the lead to 3-0 in the 88th minute. With this win, Mohun Bagan finished the season on the 10th position with 29 points.
Nima Tamang of USFC was adjudged the Man of the Match today.
In a major scare on ground today, USFC defender, Sandesh Jhingan, sustained head injuries in a collision with an MB player and had to be rushed to the hospital, am ambulance rushed into the field to evacuate him. He was however discharged shortly after from the hospital, the concussion causing no lasting damage.
Addressing the post-match press conference, the USFC coach, Nathan Hall, sharing his experience of the season, mentioned that the team has shown considerable improvement despite the lows it suffered. There were some areas which still needed work, he admitted, while adding that he was proud of the effort put in by all players.
Mohun Bagan coach, Karim Benchrifa, expressed his happiness on collecting thee points for their last match. He shared that he had many tough challenges when he took charge as the coach late in the season but overcame them successfully.
As for the I-League, Churchill Brothers finished the season as the champions with Pune FC on second and East Bengal on third position.

More than football footwork at Paljor Stadium for USFC home matches of I-League

BHAICHUNG LINES UP PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL ARTISTS DURING I-LEAGUE’S SIKKIM LEG

GANGTOK, 28 Sept: United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] is gearing up to host 13 matches of the Senior Division I-League 2012-13 at Paljor Stadium here, and even as the players are in intense training for the club’s I-League debut, the management has tied up with cultural groups and performing artists from the region to add a dash of entertainment to the sporting action at Paljor Stadium.
Addressing a press conference here recently, USFC co-owner, Bhaichung Bhutia, informed that the top-20 contestants from the “Just Dance Darjeeling Little Champ- 2012” will be performing at the ground during at the inaugural match, not just of the Sikkim leg, but I-League 2012 itself, on 06 October when USFC takes on the formidable Salgaocar SC.
Interestingly, Sikkim will be hosting both, the inaugural as well as the final match of the I-League this season with the last match of the league scheduled for 28 April 2013.
Bhaichung explained the decision to invite performances by local artistes during the matches here was an extension of the Club’s commitment to promote local talent – by signing up more players from the region and now also by providing another platform for the performing artists from the region.
Just Dance Darjeeling Little Champ- 2012 is being organized by Darjeeling-based the Himalayan Twister.
Bhaichung informed that almost every match home match will feature performances by local artists and bands.
He highlighted that I-League was the biggest football event for Sikkim and will go a long way towards inspiring upcoming and young local footballers. He added that the entertainment package at the venue will also be another highlight for spectators apart from matches of biggest clubs of the country.
Bhaichung mentioned that the moment he heard about the Just Dance Darjeeling Little Championship, he invited them to perform on the inaugural day.
Himalayan Twister secretary, Bikram Bhitrikoti, in turn mentioned that the dance competition was for the age group of 6-16 years and aims to promote talent of the hills and help them compete in national level competitions and talent hunts. He informed that more than 1000 contestants participated in the event this year and expressed gratitude towards Bhaichung for providing an opportunity to the top-20 to perform on the inaugural day. The dance competition is scheduled for a grand finale at Chowrasta in Darjeeling on 28 October.

USFC hits winning stride, comes back from a goal down to win again

SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 08 May: The USFC fighting spirit is expressing itself strong with the team, under pressure to win all its matches to break into the I-League, bouncing back from a goal down to surge past the strong Southern Samity [Kolkata] challenge in Shillong today in the final round of second division I-League. Bhaichung’s United Sikkim Football Club qualified for the second division only this season is now in the third position in the qualifiers from which the top-two will break into the main I-League this season.
Southern Samity went down 2-1 to USFC today.
Southern Samity tok an early lead today, its strikers breaking through the USFC defense marshaled by Bhaichung himself as stopper in the 14th minute itself. The playing conditions were difficult as the accompanying photograph of players covered in mud will bear out. It has been raining hard in Shillong and the slushy ground makes for difficult ball control.
The USFC team, however, kept its wits around and kept the Southern Samity defence under constant pressure, breaking through finally from the boots of Beikhokhei in the 43rd minute. The first half ended with the score level. Beikhokhei was all over the field today, a persistence which won him the man of the match honour today.
As the match drew to a close, USFC was staring at the possibility of another draw, a scoreline which stayed with it for the first three matches until it broke free with a 1-0 win against Md. Sporting in its last outing.
The last quarter also saw Bhaichung spring what is now becoming his signature move for the tournament – moving from stopper to striker. This sharpened the USFC attack and stretched out the Southern Samity defense thin enough to create stronger openings.

TNA alumni cheers for USFC

The United Sikkim Football Club, battling in the final round of the I-League qualifiers received strong support from home in Shillong today with the TNA Alumni Association executive members arriving in the capital of Meghalaya to cheer Bhaichung [a TN alumni himself] and his club. The club has hit a winning streak, completing two wins in a row after three draws, their success buoyed by the welcome cheerleading group from home today. The Meghalaya Football Association extended a warm welcome to the TNA Alumni members, inviting the TNAAA sports secretary, Jigmey Namgyal, to give away the man of the match award at the field today [accompanying pic]. The TNAA team consisted of Mr. Namgyal, Tashi Lhamu, Yogendra Sharma, Tseten Dorjee, Bhupendra Chettri and Norbu Dadul.

Bhaichung’s United Sikkim scores first win, beat Md Sporting

SIKKIM IN THE SECOND DIVISION I-LEAGUE
GANGTOK, 04 May: A lone goal by Johnny D Meyongar helped United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] registers its first win in the final round of second division I-League in Shillong on Wednesday. Bhaichung’s USFC had drawn all its previous three matches.
Playing this crucial match they gave its all and defeated Kolkata’s Mohammedan Sporting Club 1-0.
After three drawn matches in a row, this was a very crucial match for the club and the win has kept its hope alive in the final round. With this first win, the USFC is on the third position with 6 points from four matches at present. The top-2 teams will qualify for the main I-League. USFC still has 3 matches to play.

USFC battles fights back from two goals down to draw match with Lajong FC

GANGTOK, 02 May: United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] continues its battle to secure its first win in the final round of the second division I-League. On a positive note though, the team has not lost a match in this round thus far. Playing its third match of the final round on Sunday, it climbed its way back from two goals down to end the game level at 2-2.
A crucial match against one of the best club is of the north-east Shillong Lajong FC, ended with the score level, 2-2, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong, on Sunday.

USFC holds Royal Wahingdoh to goalless draw

GANGTOK, 29 April: The United Sikkim Football Club’s tryst with draws continues in the final round of the Second Division I-League. Playing its second, very closely played match today, USFC held Shillong-based Royal Wahingdoh to a goalless draw at the Polo Ground, Shillong.
The first match of the USFC against Sporting Clube-de-Goa on 26 April had also ended level at 1-1.
The USFC now has 2 points against its name from two drawn matches and is placed in the 5th place in this round of 8.

USFC comes back from a goal down to draw against Sporting Clube-de Goa

GANGTOK, 26 April: Bhaichung’s United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] has started its final round of the second division I-League with a draw in Shillong today. The keenly played match pitted USFC against Sporting Clube-de Goa and ended level at 1-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. A total of eight teams, 6 from the qualifiers and two on demotion from the main I-League, are in the fray in the final round. The top-two teams from the final round will qualify to play in I-League later this year.
Daniel Bidemi earned a lead for Sporting Clube-de Goa in the 27th minute and the USFC equalized from the boots of Beikhokhei in the 34th minute itself. No more goals were scored and regulation time ended with the scoreboard reading 1-1.
Being a very crucial round for the USFC, today’s match was also played by the Indian skipper Bhaichung Bhutia for 85 minutes as stopper even though he is still recovering from an injury. He has really proved a solid stopper for the team and foiled many Clube-de-Goa attacks today.
Bhaichung was also joined by two more players from Sikkim, Nim Tshering and Tshepel Bhutia. The scorer for the team, Beikhokhei, hails from Mizoram.
Speaking over the phone, the USFC senior manager, Arjun Rai, endorsed that the team played well as a unit, with each player delivering on the tasks shouldered on him.
The team reached Shillong on 24 April and was inexplicably not allowed practice time yesterday by the stadium management. The USFC started the final round without the mandatory practice session and only a light warm up today, Mr Rai informs.
The team has still done well, bouncing back from a goal down to draw the match.
Mr. Rai stated as much, highlighting that despite of all the traveling and injuries, the team played very good football even if unable to score more goals in the match today.
Bhaichung’s team also received encouraging crowd support. The crowd might not be as supportive on Friday when USFC takes on Shillong’s home-team, Royal Wahingdoh.

Bhaichung’s United Sikkim to begin final round next Tuesday

GANGTOK: All India Football Federation (AIFF) has released the fixture of the final round of 2nd Division I-league to be played in Shillong, Meghalaya from 25 April to 14 May.
As per the fixture, Bhaichung's United Sikkim which made Sikkim proud by topping Group 'A' will play its first match on 26 April against Sporting Club De Goa, informs an SFA press release.
The top-2 teams of the 3 groups have qualified for the final round. Group 'A' matches were played in Guwahati from where United Sikkim and Southern Samity (Kolkata) qualified to play in the final round.
From Group 'B', Md. Sporting and Ar-Hima FC have moved to the final round. The group 'C' matches were played in Madurai from which Royal Wahingdoh and Vasco SC of Goa topped the group. Lajong FC and Sporting Club de Goa who were relegated from the first division of I-League in 2009-10 will also play the final round.

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.

USFC qualifies for final round of Second Division I-League

GANGTOK, 14 April: United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] topped its pool after thrashing Golden Thread [Kerala] in its last qualifying match of the second division I-League today.

After completion of the qualifying round, the USFC and Southern Samity both stand with 13 points each, but on the basis of goals average, USFC leads +7 while Southern Samity has +5 against its name. Both clubs are however through to the final rounds of the second division I-League scheduled to start on 25 April in Shillong. 

In its last qualifying match played today in Guwahati, a hattrick by Bhudiram Tudu helped the USFC win its last qualifying match 4-1. Bhudiram has also become the Highest Scorer in his pool with 07 goals. 

Continuing his attacking scoring game, Bhudiram scored his first goal in the 32nd minute and with goals in 54th and 59th minutes, completed his hattrick.

By taking an advantage of a penalty, Sajith MP of Golden Thread scored a goal for his team in 70th minute and a goal by India International, Bijen Singh, in the 81st minute from a long range outside the D-box sealed the victory of the USFC. 

Speaking over the phone from Guwahati, the Senior Manger USFC, Arjun Rai, expressed his happiness over the team is performance and send that the squad was now looking forward to the final round.

He mentioned that Nim Tshering Lepcha and Tenzing Tshepel also played the last match. 

“As the weather climate in Shillong is similar to Gangtok, the team has decided to hold a week-long practice session in Gangtok before leaving for the final round”, Mr Rai inform.

The team is arriving in the capital on Friday.

USFC thrashes Guwahati Town Club 4-1

GANGTOK, 12 April: United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] thrashed Guwahati Town Club 4 goals to one in its second-last match of the qualifiers today at Jawaharlall Nehru Stadium, Guwahati, in ongoing second division I-League.
Budhiram Tudu scored his second brace of the tournament in the 18th and 43rd minutes, while two more goals were contributed by John Meyongar in the 57th minute and Joseph Laripa in the 81st minute. Budhiram, it may be recalled, had scored a brace in the Club’s last match as well against Simla Young’s [Delhi] which USFC had won 2-0.
USFC’s last match is scheduled against Golden Threads on 14 April.

Bhaichung’s USFC outplays Simla Youngs, rises to second position in pool ranking

GANGTOK, 10 April: United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] is now on the second place in its pool with a victory over Simla Youngs, Delhi, today in the second division of I-League.
A brace by Buddhiram Tudu in the 63rd and 71st minutes helped USFC win its fourth match to climb to the second position in the pool.

USFC blanks out NISA 2-0

GANGTOK, 05 March: United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] has announced its presence in the second division I-League with a convincing win in second match in its qualifying round after drew first match. It has drawn its debut match 1-1.
USFC defeated NISA, Manipur, 2-0 today at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Guwahati.
A brace by the captain, John D Meyongr, helped USFC to come back into the tournament after the tied match against Langsing Football Club, Shillong, on 31 March.
The team also recovered a morale boosted by the presence of Indian skipper, Bhaichung Bhutia in the playing line-up, who played last 15 minutes of the match.
Playing an attacking game, John scored his first goal in the 26th minute followed by his second goal in the 52nd minute.

Denzong Boys go down to Ar-Hima 4-2

GANGTOK, 05 April: Denzong Boys Football Club [DBFC] lost its second game in the qualifying round of the second division I-League today at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur.
Despite taking an early lead in the match, DBFC lost to Ar-Hima by 2 goals to 4 in the end.
Patrick and Abraham Fenny gave the 2-0 lead to DBFC with their goals in 12th and 23rd minutes. The team could not hold on to the lead and lost 2-4.
In its first match played on 02 April, a contesting match concluded level with Kerala's Josco Football Club 3-3. In the game, the striker Abraham Fenny struck a hat-trick for DBFC.
DBFC will now play its third match in the qualifying round against Md Sporting on 08 April.

USFC draws its Second Division I-League debut

GANGTOK: A brace by NS Manju helped United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] draw its first match of the second division I-League Thursday morning at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Guwahati.
The first match of the I-League between Bhaichung Bhutia’s USFC and Shillong based Langsing Football Club finished 2-2.
Bhaichung Bhutia and Rennedy Singh missed their club’s first game as both of them are recovering from injuries. They are likely to join the team in later matches.

USFC and DBFC warm up for I-League clashes

SAGAR CHHETRI
With the release of the fixture for the preliminary round of the 2nd Division I-League, the two Sikkim clubs - Denzong Boyz FC and United Sikkim FC – in the fray have begun opponent-specific training now that they know who they are pitted against.
As per the AIFF fixture, the United Sikkim FC has been placed in Group “A”, while the Denzong Boyz FC is in Group “B”.
The United Sikkim FC will play its preliminary matches in Guwahati against Langsing SC, Shillong on 27 March, Nisa, Manipur on 31 March, Southern Samiti, Kolkata on 2 April, Golden Threads on 4 April, Guwahati Town Club on 6 April and last match against Simla Youngs on 9 April.