BFF Academy Claim Convincing Win Over Ugyen Academy in Academy Clash

BFF Academy delivered a strong and composed performance to secure a 3-1 victory over Ugyen Academy in the Academy Clash at Changlimithang Stadium.

The home side started on the front foot and broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute. A well-worked move from a throw-in saw Rinzin Dorji get the better of the Ugyen Academy skipper before cutting the ball back to Sonam Dorji, who curled a powerful and precise finish into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

Sensing the growing control from BFF Academy, Ugyen Academy head coach Kinley Penjor made an early substitution, bringing on Ngawang Tenzin Rabgay for Tempa Gyeltshen, whose debut was cut short. Reflecting on the slow start, the coach admitted, “Some of the new players were not confident in the first half, and that cost us a lot.”

BFF Academy continued to dominate and doubled their lead in the 43rd minute through a brilliant team move. Sonam Dorji once again played a key role, delivering a perfectly timed pass into the path of Thinley Yezer, who made a sharp run and calmly slotted home.
Under heavy pressure, Ugyen Academy struggled to cope with the intensity, resulting in reckless challenges and two bookings, Ronit Rai in the 43rd minute and Santa Kumar in first-half added time. “We were letting them play too easily. We planned to press, but instead we were just chasing the ball,” Coach Kinley added.

After the break, Ugyen Academy showed signs of improvement. A tactical change in midfield saw Palden Yoezer replace Ngawang Tenzin Rabgay in the 64th minute, a move that later proved impactful. The coach emphasized his message at half-time: “Win or lose, attack the ball, otherwise you won’t get it.”

However, just two minutes after the substitution, BFF Academy extended their lead. A perfectly timed pass from Dhendup Gyeltshen split the defence, allowing skipper Rinzin Dorji to break the offside trap and finish clinically to make it 3-0.

In the later stages, Ugyen Academy pressed higher and began creating chances, putting the BFF Academy defence under sustained pressure. Their persistence paid off in the 74th minute when a misdirected clearance from Tandin fell to Pelden Yoezer, who quickly set up Santa. The forward showed great composure to lob the ball over the advancing goalkeeper and pull one back for the visitors.

 

“It’s unfortunate we missed a lot of chances in the second half, but it’s a lesson, we will come back stronger,” said the head coach of Ugyen Academy Kinley Penjor after the match. Despite the late push, BFF Academy managed the game well to see out a deserved victory. Their head coach praised the overall performance, stating, “My boys played very well today. The second half was more difficult, but we are happy to win and take the three points.” She also highlighted areas for improvement, adding, “We need to handle pressure better and be more effective in the final third.”

BFF Academy’s dominant first-half display ultimately proved decisive as they secured all three points.