Gangtok, TT.April 17.: United Sikkim
entered the I-League with a 1-1 draw against Mohammedan Sporting in the
final match of the second division here today.
Bhaichung Bhutia’s
boys are the second team from the Northeast to make it to the I-League
first division after Lajong FC. Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling was
among the 15,000 supporters who thronged Paljor Stadium to cheer for
the home team.
United Sikkim took
the lead in the 30th minute through a penalty. Winger Thoi Singh of the
Calcutta club was brought down in the box leading to the spot kick
that was converted into a goal for United Sikkim by striker Daniel
Bidemi.
Mohammedan
Sporting found the equaliser through Alfred Jaryan in the 55th minute.
The rest of the match was of missed chances for both the sides and the
game ended in a draw.
As Mohammedan
Sporting was third on the points table, only a win against United Sikkim
would have ensured its birth in the I-League.
The draw gave one point to both the clubs but the tally of United Sikkim reached 22, one more than that of the Calcutta club.
ONGC Mumbai had
qualified for the I-League with 22 points yesterday. Only two teams from
the second division I-League are promoted to the senior division.
United Sikkim
co-owner Bhaichung, who played as a substitute for 20 minutes in the
second half, dedicated the team’s I-League qualification to the
supporters.
“It is a very
exciting moment for United Sikkim to qualify for the I-League. My dream
to take the club to the I-League has finally come true. The hard work
has finally paid off and I hope that United Sikkim will give an equally
good performance in the I-League,” said Bhaichung.
“The amount of
support we got from the home crowd was amazing. I will be visiting all
schools in the next few days to thank students for their support. I also
thank the chief minister for watching the match today,” said Bhaichung.
Top officials of FidelisWorld, a co-owner of United Sikkim, were also in the gallery.
“We congratulate
Bhaichung and his team for entering into I-League within two years of
the club’s inception. Now, our goal is to become the most professional
club in India,” said A. Krishnan, the executive chairman of the
Dubai-based group.
With United Sikkim
finding a place in the I-League, premier clubs like East Bengal, Mohan
Bagan and Dempo SC will play their away matches at Paljor Stadium when
the season starts in September-October. It has been several years since a
top national club played in Sikkim.
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