Sikkim Governor's Gold Cup

Two Nepal teams in semis along with Nigerian Eagles, Punjab Police:

Nov 5: A thrilling lineup of three-time champions Punjab Police, favourites Three Star Nepal, classy NRT Nepal and dark horses Nigerian Eagles is ready to set the stands on fire tomorrow at the 29th All India Governor's Gold Cup semi-finals at the Paljor Stadium at Gangtok.

The first potboiler will be between NRT Nepal and Nigerian Eagles. The high-flying Nigerian team had reached the semi-finals last year but lost to Army XI 1-2 in a high voltage clash.

This time, the Eagles have come up with a different set of players and destroyed Sikkim Police 3-0 in their first match.

BJS, Bangladesh, also became a victim to the physically superior Nigerians in the quarter-finals. The fire power of the team in green has also been bolstered by the arrival of Eze, who is currently playing for Calcutta Port Trust.

''The Nigerian Eagles are a good team and will be a great match,'' said Yogumber Shuwal, NRT coach.

The foxy Nepal coach had led three different Nepal teams to championship victories in 1990, 1992 and 1996. If NRT overcomes the Nigerian challenge, it will be the fourth appearance of Shuwal in the final of the Governor's Gold Cup.

Not that NRT is devoid of fire power. Anil Gurung, the highest paid professional player in Nepal, has already endeared himself to the crowds with his performance. He had scored both the goals in the first match against JCT Academy.

NRT then sent Titanium Kerala crashing out of the tournament with a 1-0 victory in the quarters. The Nepal team depend on short passes and crosses to its tall strikers.

In the second semi-final, Three Star Nepal will face a formidable challenge from the burly Punjab Police players.

The Nepal team amply demonstrated their skills and techniques yesterday when they booted out Bhutan XI 4-0 with an all-round display. It has fast wingers, creative midfielders and attacking strikers that should test the Punjab defenders.

On the other hand, Punjab Police depend on high balls and powerful shots from long distances. Their back four have also ensured a clean sheet so far.

However, the Punjab side’s striking prowess remain doubtful with the team managing to score only one goal in their first match against Assam State Electricity Board.

Punjab Police then defeated Chittagaon Bangladesh and Mumbai United in penalties to enter the semis.

Source: United News of India

Governor’s Gold Cup

Oct 27: JCT Academy beat SFA XI 3-1

Sikkim Football Association (SFA) XI lost to JCT Academy, Phagwara, 1-3 in the inaugural match of the 29th All India Governor's Gold Cup football tournament at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok today.

Jagpreet Singh scored a brace for JCT, both from free kicks in the sixth and 29th minutes, while his teammate L Zira buttressed the lead in the 59th minute.
Dawa Lepcha managed to score a consolation goal for the home team in the 71st minute.

With this loss, the home team were knocked out of the tournament, while JCT Academy will face NRT Football Club from Nepal on October 1.

Assam State Electricity Board will take on Punjab Police tomorrow.

Six international teams -- Nigerian Eagles (an All-Nigerian team), top two clubs from Nepal (NRT and Three Star), two from Bangladesh (Chittagaon Abahoni and Badda Jagarani Sangshad) and Bhutan XI -- are among 16 teams vying for top honours.

Other notable teams are Punjab Police, Mumbai United, Assam State Electricity Board, Manipur XI and Tibetan National Football Association, besides JCT Academy and SFA XI.

However, football giants from Kolkata and Goa and defending champions Air India, Mumbai, are not taking part this year.

In view of the local public enthusiasm in the tournament, SFA has decided to open the hillside gallery of the stadium free for school students.

The final match of the knockout tournament will be held on Nove