Young Orchid
Players of Young Orchid team with the trophy. Image credit: Northeast Now

Young Orchid has become the champion of the Sikkim Football Association ‘C’ Division Football Tournament 2018 played here at Paljor Stadium. Young Orchid is a team of Sikkim Police, which comprises of new and young footballers.

In the final match of the league on Sunday, Young Orchid has stunned Dzongri Football Club 6-1. However, both finalist teams have been promoted to SFA Second Division State League 2019.

With an attacking start, Bishal Chettri has scored the lead for Young Orchid in the 26th minute and soon his teammate, Lacho Tshering Lepcha doubled the lead in the 32nd minute.

With another goal by Ongchuk Sherpa in the 36th minute, Young Orchid has finished the first half with 3-0 lead. In the early minutes of the second half, Pahalman Rai further extended the lead of Young Orchid to 4-0 in the 49th minute.

Dzongri FC players played their hearts out to bounce back into the match and a goal by Rapgay Lepcha in the 53rd minute gave some hope to Dzongri FC players but it was not enough to stop Young Orchid.

Ongchuk Sherpa has completed his brace in the 80th minute and soon Lacho Tshering Lepcha also completed his brace in the 83rd minute to seal 6-1 victory of Young Orchid.

Tshering Dorjee Lepcha of Dzongri FC has been adjudged as the Man of the Match. Both teams have been awarded with trophies and individual medals.

The league was started on 06 June with the participation of 12 clubs of the State, which were divided into four groups.

The topper of the each group entered into the semi-final round. In the first semi-final, Young Orchid defeated Chujachen FC 4-2 to enter into the finals, while Dzongri FC edged past Sikkim Himalayan Sporting Club 3-2 in the second semi-final match.

Sagar Chhetri is Northeast Now Correspondent in Gangtok. He can be reached at: [email protected]