Druk Star defender Penjor Tshering clears a corner kick

15 April, 2009 - Druk Star squandered a two-goal lead and ultimately lost via a penalty shoot-out (2-4) to Transport United in the finals of the C division league tournament on Monday.

Druk Star took the lead in style when striker Dawa Tshering struck in the third minute. The lead was doubled eight minutes later. Druk Star thought the game was won, but TranU bounced back into the game two minutes after the second half whistle. Even before the Druk Star goalie could take his position, TranU’s striker put the ball in the back of the net, slashing the deficit to one goal.

The excitement grew. Players were moving more swiftly and the cheers from the handful of a crowd grew louder. Ten minutes later, TranU’s striker scored again to level the game.

Druk Star, with many national players, made many attempts in vain as TranU dominated the second half. “We didn’t expect to win but we played well in the second half. I think we were lucky too and we’re very happy,” said Transport United’s captain Ngawang Yoenten, 16.

Druk Star’s captain, Tshering D Dorji, 15, said, “We were not up to our mark, but it’s okay.”

The winner took home a cash prize of Nu 20,000 while the runner-up got Nu 10,000. Jigmi Choeda, 12, was awarded a trophy for the youngest player of the tournament.

“Both teams were good. Technically, Druk Star were better but they were overconfident after the first two goals,” said BFF official Dinesh Chettri.

It was the first time a division league match was played at Changlimithang. Eleven teams participated in the tournament, which started on March 21.

Meanwhile, the senior national team is in Maldives for the AFC Challenge Cup. And, for the first time, Bhutan will participate in the AFC U-14 girls’ festival of football in Sri Lanka on April 28, along with India, Iran, Jordan and Sri Lanka.