Wellington Phoenix begins India tour with win, to face Shillong Lajong on 26
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 24 2012: The New Zealand based Australian A-league team Wellington Phoenix Football Club kicked off their India tour in the North East Lajong Super Series with an easy win over the newly promoted I-league team United Sikkim FC owned by Baichung Bhutia.

The tri series tournament kicked off today amidst frequent rain which hampered the mood for thousands of spectators.

Before the beginning of the match, the Wellington Phoenix team expressed dissatisfaction and fear over the dry and poor condition of the field and demanded to be watered before the match.

Immediate arrangements were made to water the field by using police vehicles.

They were taken by surprise when they found the condition of the field.

The match began only after watering the field.

Tyler Boyd of Wellington Phoenix (yellow & black) and Rahul Jaiswal of United Sikkim (blue) vying for the ball during the first match of the North East Lajong Super Series at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium, Imphal

On the other hand, the most awaited player of United Sikkim, Baichung Bhutia who also own the team failed to play the match as he could not come to Imphal today.

On the contrary of the expectations, only around 7000 spectators witnessed the match with more than half of the stadium boring a deserted look.

Only if the match was organised in the night if there were enough arrangements, the gallery would have filled with spectators since people are engaged in their routine works and personal works during the daytime.

However, the next match between Shillong Lajong FC and Wellington Phoenix is expected to have more spectators.

The match today was dominated by Wellington Phoenix right from the beginning.

However skilful performance of the United Sikkim's Korean custodian Yoon Tae save the face of United Sikkim from a big humiliation.

Even though they dominated the match from the beginning, Wellington Phoenix could not open their goal account until the 34th minute when captain Paul Ilfill tapped in a cross from team-mate Louis Fenton.

The second goal was scored by Tyler Boyd with a fine volley in the 41st minute, just before the half-time.

While the third goal was a dying minute header from Louis Fenton in the 88th minute.

On the other hand, United Sikkim, which have a Manipuri player Zenith Mashangva from Ukhrul failed to score a single goal against the Australian A-League team.

The frequent rain caused waterlogging in some parts of the field and it became slippery thus causing inconveniences to the players in controlling the ball.

However, both teams played the match with full spirit.

Wellington Phoenix will play the next match of the series against Shillong Lajong FC on August 26 at 2 pm at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium.

Shillong Lajong FC, one of the I-league team has quiet a dose state players like international player Reneddy Potshangbam, Chitrasen, Subhash, Saikhohao Tuiboi and many others.

With state players mainly constituting the team and hopes of people beaming on Reneddy and some other key players, the match is expected to draw a larger number of spectators than today.