The burden is on Ngawang Dhendup to keep the title race in sight. After briefly leapfrogging his former side, Transport’s victory over Gelephu last evening puts City back to second place, two points behind the league leaders.
Boys understand that only a victory will keep the leaders on their toes and therefore the stakes are high this Wednesday. Regardless of the past outcomes, this season, the challenge is not expected to be easy. “It is not easy to defend a title. Everyone wants to beat us.” said the boss.
Head-to-Head
The reds have enjoyed 100% record against our next opponents so far. There were 42 goals scored over the six encounters, 38 of which were City’s. The same fixture last season was played at MTC Ground with the ultimate champions winning the game 2-6. The victory confirmed Thimphu City FC as the new Bhutanese champions. Veteran Yeshey Dorji scored the last goal in the added time.
However, Ngawang stated that the team should not rely on the results of previous encounters. “One mistake can cost us everything.” He is determined to play his best squad against Tensung. “They are not a bad team. They have a top coach. They will have strategy to beat us.”
Leading up to the game, Tensung has won last two of the last four games, while City recorded three wins and a draw. Coach Ngawang was pleased with the results so far, although he noted that the team still has room for improvement. “We are not playing at the best but result has been in our favour.”
The Opposition
Tensung will head into the game with high spirit after an excellent performance that saw them beat last season’s runners-up Ugyen Academy on Saturday. The team continues to grow its reputation in the league ever since its return to the top flight. Led by the first and only female head coach in the league the soldiers have already registered two wins in four outings. Denkar brings in wealth of experience from her time at the girls football academy at Gelephu.
Tensung FC also boasts the likes of Ngawang Tobgay who is one of the three players leading the goal scoring chart this season so far. The goal poacher has scored all five of Tensung’s goals in this season so far, finding the net in three successive games ahead of our midweek clash.
Injury Update
Lungtok Dawa missed the game last week following knee injury he sustained. Orgyen has been complaining about groin problem and Tenzin Wangchuk has sprained his ankle.
