USFC Youngs edge past Sinolchu in hotly contested quarterfinal clash

I-DAY KNOCK-OUT FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT

PURAN TAMANG

NAMCHI, 09 Aug: After a tough fight, Young United Sikkim Football Club, Gangtok made it to the semi-finals of the Independence Day Knockout Football Tournament 2011. In an interesting match played today at the Bhaichung Stadium here, the match ended in a tie-breaker won by Young United Sikkim FC against the home team, Sinolchu FC.

Regulation time ended with the teams tied at 1-1, following which the game moved to a tie-breaker where the young boys of Bhaichung’s club defeated the home team with the final score of 8 goals to 7.
Earlier, Sinolchu played well, making several attacks during the first half as a result of which Yugal (10) scored a beautiful goal and gave his team a lead of 1-0 till half time.
The USFC boys played with renewed spirit during the second half. A splendid goal netted by Nganingmi Simrah (22) of USFC in the second half not only levelled the score but also added new spirit amongst the players of both teams.
With both teams on the offensive, there was some scuffle between the players during the final minutes of the match. As the match was drawing to a close, tempers flared and soon a police team lead by PI CB Basnet along with members of the organizing committee were on the field to bring the situation under control.
In the penalty shootout, three players from Sinolchu and two USFC players missed the goal post with the latter winning with the final score of 8-7.
Earlier, the first quarter final of the tournament was played between SAI Namchi and Namchi Sports Hostel where SAI won the match with the score of 2 -0 becoming the first team to reach the semi finals of the tournament.
Tomorrow, the third quarter final match of the tournament will be played between New Light Academy, Namchi and Jorethang FC.
The winner of the tournament will be awarded with a cash prize of Rs. 50000 and a trophy while the runner-up team will receive Rs 30000 and a trophy.