Delhi, Dharamsala, Bir Exit, Do or Die for the Defending Champions
Cows disrupting matches is a routine at the venue of the most coveted football tournament of the Tibetan community |
Dharamsala, 10 June: As the struggle for the coveted Gyalyum Chenmo Gold Cup gradually draws to an end, Delhi yesterday becomes the first team to be officially out of the tournament finishing last in their pool. Day 6 of the tournament was a setback for Delhi as they succumbed to the mighty defence and attacking skills of Southern Stars. Delhi were looked as having some hope to remain in the tournament after their amazing draw against defending Champions Pokhara. But right from the first half Delhi were under pressure as Southern Star’s striker known better as “Bod” –for his inscription in Tibetan of the word “Tibet” on the back of his head– managed to chip the ball past goalkeeper to claim the first goal.
The second half proved all the more disastrous for Delhi as the players were not just able to keep the ball in their possession in front of the strong and organised defence line of Southern Stars. Delhi’s striker Tsepal, who scored all the goals of Delhi in this tournament, missed a close ranger, courtesy Southern Star’s goalkeeper who is a public favourite already.
The little hope of Delhi getting back into the game and bringing back the form they displayed against Pokhara the other day faced a blow when “Bod” took advantage of a mistake committed by Delhi’s defender who missed a kick, and scored his second goal with a header which was too high for the goal keeper to stop. Delhi seemed to have given up as more and more attacks began to mount on their goal.
It was not a day for Delhi’s players and fans at all. With a few minutes of the second half left, Southern Stars scored their third goal with a volley that landed into the right corner of the goal. A huge roar of applause came from the stands draped in maroon after this goal seemingly from Sera monastery’s monks on visit to the town.
Delhi were awarded a penalty for a handball by Southern Stars’ defender but this rescue was too late for Delhi as they had very little time left to cover up the losses they incurred in the rest of the game. Tsepal made no mistake in banging the ball into upper corner of the net but there were no celebrations for the goal among the players nor the supporters as Southern Stars had snatched the game away from Delhi by then.
The second match between Dharamsala and Kathmandu was again a thriller for the supporters of both sides as the game was to decide who would remain in the tournament. It was a must-win game for Kathmandu and Dharamsala could well settle for a draw. Dharamsala had some early chances on goal but were saved by the Kathmandu goalkeeper who seemed to be in a much better form than yesterday. The young striker of Kathmandu looked tiny in front of Dharamsala defenders who received all balls through headers and did not let Kathmandu march forward. Kathmandu waited for a small mistake from Dharamsala defenders and it came just after twenty minutes into the game. Dharamsala defender Tsering Dorjee, the tallest man on the field, mistimed a header which went past Kathmandu striker who dodged two defenders to lob the ball into the net. Kathmandu had their first goal.
Dharamsala had more supporters cheering for them but playing under pressure did not live up to the cheers of the home crowd. A silly and unnecessary push from behind by Phurbu Tsering of Dharamsala was spotted by the linesman who was standing just at a feet away. Referee signalled a free kick which was curled into the box to be deflected by the goalkeeper but it was Kathmandu player who reacted to that deflection first to slip the ball past defenders into the right corner of the net.
Dharamsala had many sure chances to level the score but just did not succeed. Lobsang Norbu, known better as Lobo, who became the first person to score an international goal for Tibet in the match against Greenland a few years back, missed a short ranger with only the goalkeeper to beat. That was the closest Dharamsala could get to the goal.
A consolation in form of a penalty was awarded to Dharamsala for a push in the box. Rinzin Namgyal successfully converted the penalty into a goal. Dharamsala had to score yet another goal to at least stand a chance of remaining in the tournament but they failed to make all possible use of the opportunities they had. And before they realized this, the referee blew the final whistle to end the game in Kathmandu’s favour by a single goal. Though Dharamsala have 6 points on their name as their competitors they have lost all hope of playing in the semi finals as the game between Dhanglob Rukhag and Bir/Chauntra will most probably push Dhanglob Rukhag ahead of Dharamsala. Meanwhile, in the last game of the league Pokhara, with just 2 points, must win today’s match against Doon Valley to stay in the competition