GANGTOK: Gangtok Himalayan SC on Thursday evening defeated Chennaiyin FC 2-1 to enter the final of the 40th Governor’s Gold Cup football tournament at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok. The winning goals were scored by the club’s foreign strikers Junior and Joseph at each half.
Chennaiyin FC had a terrible start as it conceded an early goal in the 4th minute and midway in the first half, lost a player due to a red card. One man down, the Southern club gained a lifeline when it quickly found the equalizing goal courtesy a fine header from YV Kumar.
The half-time score was 1-1.
In second half, Gangtok Himalayan SC again took an early lead with a smashing free kick from Joseph in the 71st minute. The local club held on its lead with some excellent goalkeeping from Nimdup Lepcha and resolute defending.
Lepcha was declared as the ‘Man of the Match’.
With this victory, Gangtok Himalayan SC has set a title clash with Northeast United FC on November 24.
It is for the second consecutive time that Gangtok Himalayan SC has reached the Governor’s Gold Cup final.
In 2019, the local club (then Sikkim Himalayan SC) had played the 39th Governor’s Gold Cup final where it lost to Kolkata side Mohammedan SC. The tournament then could not be held due to Covid pandemic and other reasons before resuming this year.
- SA Report
