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It ended in a tie, 1-1, this second friendly match for Sikkim United
against a second local football club, Zimdra yesterday at Changlimithang
stadium.Watch hightlights
The Indian league team played its first match last week against Drukpol that ended 4-4.
For team Zimdra, who claimed to have inexperienced players and lacked resource compared with Sikkim United whose players earn their living off the game, “yesterday’s draw felt like a massive victory”.
“Sikkim United being a club playing in the Indian league and having a good mixture of young experienced players from different places, we did not expect a draw,” team Zimdra manager Hishey Tshering said. “Having seen Sikkim United’s play against Drukpol, we predicted a draw or loss by a goal or two.”
Zimdra players were under pressure for most part of the match with Sikkim United’s experienced strikers dashing for a goal now and then, all of which its goalkeeper parried.
The first half ended without any goals for both teams.
Sikkim United had its chance to score and win the match in the 70th minute when on of its strikers’ shot on target was blocked by a Zimdra player’s hand in the D-area.
A penalty shoot out ensued with Zimdra goalie faced against one of Sikkim United’s best feet.
But the kick Sikkim United player let off directed towards the right side of the post was intercepted by Zimdra’s goalkeeper’s preempted dive.
It was a save.
That acted as stimulant for Zimdra players who went on the attack with renewed vigour, which paid off in the 77th minute of the game when Ngawang Dhendup, from the crowded D-area, sent the ball whooshing into Sikkim United’s post from top right corner.
It was not until the 82nd minute of the game that Sikkim United responded with an equaliser.
Its player, Linekar Machado, who timed his run to intercept a long pass one of his teammates sent between three Zimdra defenders, to face Zimdra goalkeeper, one-on-one.
All Machado had to do was kick the ball straight into the net through the right corner of the post as their opponent did into their post.
One goal each and that was it for the teams who still tried to break the tie during the extra two-minute time given to decide a winner through a sudden death playoff.
The stadium echoed with applauds in appreciation of an electrifying show the two teams put up.
Sikkim United coach Nathan Hall said Drukpol had weakness in ball possession while under pressure, but Zimdra players, physically robust, as they were, to his surprise he said controlled the ball pretty well.
“Converting on opportunities is something my team have failed against Indian league teams,” he said. “It’s the same situation here.”
Today Sikkim United will play their last match against Yeedzin.
Their star player, Baichung Bhutia is expected to play for at least 30 minutes of the game that starts at 4:30pm.
Source: Kuenselonline
The Indian league team played its first match last week against Drukpol that ended 4-4.
For team Zimdra, who claimed to have inexperienced players and lacked resource compared with Sikkim United whose players earn their living off the game, “yesterday’s draw felt like a massive victory”.
“Sikkim United being a club playing in the Indian league and having a good mixture of young experienced players from different places, we did not expect a draw,” team Zimdra manager Hishey Tshering said. “Having seen Sikkim United’s play against Drukpol, we predicted a draw or loss by a goal or two.”
Zimdra players were under pressure for most part of the match with Sikkim United’s experienced strikers dashing for a goal now and then, all of which its goalkeeper parried.
The first half ended without any goals for both teams.
Sikkim United had its chance to score and win the match in the 70th minute when on of its strikers’ shot on target was blocked by a Zimdra player’s hand in the D-area.
A penalty shoot out ensued with Zimdra goalie faced against one of Sikkim United’s best feet.
But the kick Sikkim United player let off directed towards the right side of the post was intercepted by Zimdra’s goalkeeper’s preempted dive.
It was a save.
That acted as stimulant for Zimdra players who went on the attack with renewed vigour, which paid off in the 77th minute of the game when Ngawang Dhendup, from the crowded D-area, sent the ball whooshing into Sikkim United’s post from top right corner.
It was not until the 82nd minute of the game that Sikkim United responded with an equaliser.
Its player, Linekar Machado, who timed his run to intercept a long pass one of his teammates sent between three Zimdra defenders, to face Zimdra goalkeeper, one-on-one.
All Machado had to do was kick the ball straight into the net through the right corner of the post as their opponent did into their post.
One goal each and that was it for the teams who still tried to break the tie during the extra two-minute time given to decide a winner through a sudden death playoff.
The stadium echoed with applauds in appreciation of an electrifying show the two teams put up.
Sikkim United coach Nathan Hall said Drukpol had weakness in ball possession while under pressure, but Zimdra players, physically robust, as they were, to his surprise he said controlled the ball pretty well.
“Converting on opportunities is something my team have failed against Indian league teams,” he said. “It’s the same situation here.”
Today Sikkim United will play their last match against Yeedzin.
Their star player, Baichung Bhutia is expected to play for at least 30 minutes of the game that starts at 4:30pm.
Source: Kuenselonline
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