USFC draws into history with first division I-League promotion

BECOMES FIRST SIKKIMESE CLUB TO DO SO, COMES OUT ON TOP IN THE SECOND DIVISION AS WELL
GANGTOK, 17 April: The handsome number of fans who turned up at Paljor Stadium today were treated to history being made as Bhaichung’s United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] held its nerve to hold Mohammedan Sporting to a 1-1 draw and with the one point it so collected, winning a promotion into first division I-League. What is more, drawing level with ONGC [the other team qualifying into the senior division] on points [22 each], USFC also topped the league having beaten ONGC in an earlier meeting. This is a substantial achievement, coming as it does within a year of Bhaichung having rejuvenated the club with a new management model and professional handling.
When the final whistle blew, confirming that USFC had made history by becoming the first club from Sikkim, in fact the entire region, to break into the first division, the entire stadium erupted in joy even as the downcast Mohammedan Sporting squad fouled the air challenging the referees and fourth officials. But that was swamped out by celebration which took over Paljor Stadium today. Fans had come in not just from Gangtok and the surrounding areas but even driven in from Gyalshing and Namchi. There were also some long-time Bhaichung fans from Kolkata in the stands today.
This was USFC’s second showing at the League.
The last match of the Gangtok leg was crucial for both teams – Mohammedan Sporting needing a win to return to the first division and USFC getting through, as happened, with a draw.
It was a special day and an important match with even the Chief Minister Pawan Chamling arriving as chief guest and spending time with both teams before the kick-off.
The home club came out on the ground with full support of the local crowd, especially students. The stadium was packed with spectators cheering for the local club till the final whistle of the match. Both teams played their hearts out right from the start.
Towards the end of the first half, a golden opportunity presented itself for USFC from a clear foul by a Mohammedan Sporting defender inside the penalty area. The penalty was converted by Daniel Bidemi Ayeni. However, this decision of the referee was protested by the Mohammedan Sporting players and the match witnessed some heated moments.
USFC could not keep the lead for long as Alfred Jaryan scored the equalizer for Mohammedan SC in the second half of the match. The match continued to play out to aggressive attacks and counter attacks but both teams missed the net a number of times and the match finally ended in a 1-1 draw.
Speaking to media persons after the match, an elated Bhaichung, who played the final 30 minutes of the match, said that he is very excited about the club’s qualification in the senior division I-League. He added that it was his dream to be in the I-League and the team has made this dream come true this year.
Bhaichung expressed his gratitude towards the club’s fans and local crowd for supporting the team and especially thanked the Chief Minister for encouraging the team with his presence today. He added that he will now visit every school to thank the students for supporting the club.
Likewise, USFC Coach, Philippe De Ridder, expressed satisfaction on the team’s performance and added that he will now prepare the team for a good performance in the first division I-League. USFC co-owner and CEO of Dubai based company, Fidelis World, Ananth Krishnan, stated that it is a dream come true to play in the senior division I-League within barely a year of the club’s debut in the I-League. He added that the dream continues with the aim to be the best team in the I-League.
Aizwal FC captain, David Lalrinmaura was awarded the Best Player trophy during the prize distribution ceremony.

USFC to take on Mohammedan Sporting today for only spot left in first division I-League

GANGTOK, 16 April: Bhaichung’s United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] will take on Mohammedan Sporting Club, Kolkata in the last match of the final round of the second division I-League Football at Paljor Stadium on Tuesday.
A win is crucial for both teams to qualify into first division I-League Football. As only two teams will be promoted for the first division I-league and one place has already been occupied by ONGC [Mumbai], it is now a do or die situation for both USFC and Mohammedan Sporting.
The odds are however slightly in USFC’s favour since it will go through to the first division even with a draw. Mohammedan Sporting however needs to win to get promoted. After playing 11 matches each in the final round of the second division at Siliguri and Gangtok, USFC has 21 points and Mohammedan SC 20 points so far.
Speaking to media persons at Paljor Stadium today, USFC coach, Philippe De Ridder, mentioned that the players have assured to give their best to win the match. Stating that each player needs to defend and each needs to attack to score in the match, he added that the players were extremely motivated for the Tuesday match.
The coach mentioned that the team is all set for the match but added that some good players are suffering from injuries. Mohammedan Sporting is a good team and the match will be a competitive one, he said. Mr Ridder urged the fans and general public to fully support the home club through its good and bad times as the club was battling hard to qualify for the first division.

USFC rides on Quinton’s hat-trick to down Aizwal FC 4-2

GANGTOK, 13 April: Requiring to win every one of its remaining three games, Bhaichung’s USFC stayed on course towards getting promoted to the first division by downing Aizwal FC 4-2 at a keenly contested and excessively aggressive match here at Paljor Stadium today.
The USFC win rode on the shoulders of a flawless hat-trick by captain, midfielder Quinton Jacobs who led from the front today. The victory, required as it was, is also significant because it was with a draw against Aizwal in the Siliguri leg that hiccups began for the USFC, a stumble it corrected only on 11 April here when it beat the pool toppers, ONGC Mumbai. With today’s win, USFC is back on the top of the pool with 21 points, one point ahead of ONGC. Only the top-2 teams from the Gangtok leg will get promoted to first division I-League. This position, USFC will, in all probability, hold only for one day because on Saturday, ONGC takes on Mohammedan Sporting. Should either of the teams win [there can also be a draw which case they share a point each] , they will move past USFC [ONGC stands at 20 pts and Mohammedan Sporting at 19 and each win earns 3 points].
At Paljor Stadium today, both teams put it all on the line, and this included all the rough tricks they had in their bags. A staggering 6 cautions were flashed in the match today, four to USFC players and two to Aizwal FC. In fact, two of USFC’s four goals came by way of penalty kicks, and this after the first penalty hit the woodwork.
For USFC, Daniel Bidemi Ayeni won the lead with a goal in the 38th minute, and the second half belonged to captain Quinton N Jacobs who scored in the 60th, 65th and 81st minute.
The match had its see-saw moment with David Lalrinmuana, the Aizwal captain, levelling the score in the 49th minute. It was shortly after this that Quinton was unleashed on the Aizwal defence and completed his hattrick. Towards the close of the match, Michael Lalremruata pulled one back for Aizwal, but the game had already run away from them by then and when the final whistle blew, USFC was home 4-2.
Earlier, in the first match of the day, Kalighat MS outplayed Royal Wahingdoh 2-0, both goals scored by Waheed Adekunle.

Bhaichung’s USFC opens winning account by downing league topper

TWO MORE AND IT’S THROUGH TO FIRST DIVISION
GANGTOK, 11 April: United Sikkim Football Club [USFC] registered a crucial victory, its first in the Gangtok leg of the second division of the I-League Football at Paljor Stadium today. The home club, which has struggled with a loss [to Royal Wahingdoh] and two draws [Kalighat MS and Vasco SC] in the Gangtok leg, made it all good for its strong fan base here today by downing the league toppers ONGC [Mumbai] 2-1.
USFC, which had arrived in Gangtok [after the Siliguri leg of the second division I-League] as the top team with 13 points, had, because of its poor first three games, had slipped to fourth place. With the 3 points earned from today’s victory, USFC has 18 points and climbed one notch to reach the third place. The top-2 teams from the pool after the Gangtok leg will be promoted to the first division. To confirm this promotion, USFC should both its remaining two matches.
However, despite losing the match, ONGC still retains its top spot with 20 points from 10 matches. USFC has also played the same number of matches and has 18 points. Mohammedan Sporting stands between the two with 19 points.
The home club received full support from a packed stadium, especially students from different schools in and around the capital blowing vuvezelas right till the end of the match, their lungs gathering strength from the team’s first win at home.
USFC started strong, launching constant attacks from the moment the starting whistle blew and even missed some good chances in the early minutes.
After missing some good opportunities, Babatunde J Oladels earned the first lead in the 25th minute and within ten minutes, the referee offered a penalty shoot to USFC for a foul in its opponent D-Box, which was successfully converted by Daniel Bidemi Ayeni. USFC was 2-0 ahead in the first half itself.
With 10 goals to his name now, Daniel is still the highest scorer so far in the league.
Towards the end of the first half, well into injury time, ONGC was reduced to 10 men when Alhassan Abubakar was marched off the field with a red card after he intentionally injured Romen Singh of USFC who received medical attention for the bloodied face he was left with.
The injured Romen Singh was replaced by Nim Tshering in the second half against the 10-man ONGC team and soon Bhaichung Bhutia replaced Babatunde. In the 67th minute, the referee offered another penalty kick, this time to ONGC, which was converted as the face-saver for the league toppers by Yusa Katsumi.
The attacks and counter attacks continued and the home team missed some good opportunities to extend the lead in the match which finally ended with the home club registering its first win on home ground.
USFC will now be taking on Aizwal FC on 13 April and Mohammedan Sporting Club on 17 April in the final round. In the Siliguri leg, USFC had drawn its match against Aizwal FC and had lost to Mohammedan SC. Although USFC is a better team on paper and the field than the two, it will have to work past the Siliguri history with the two teams to seal a position for itself in the first division, and with it, becoming the first club from the region to play among the big boys.
The club has extended its thanks to the home crowd, especially the students, for their support and encouragement throughout the match and further urged them to continue with their support for the upcoming two matches of the final round.