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.
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.
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