Governor’s Gold Cup final today: Aakraman and Lajong promise a night of football to remember

BIJOY GURUNG

GANGTOK, October 15: History beckons at Paljor Stadium, where Sikkim Aakraman SC and Shillong Lajong FC will battle for the 42nd Governor’s Gold Cup title on Friday evening, with both sides promising an entertaining contest under the floodlights.

For Aakraman, the final offers a chance to end Sikkim’s long wait for the coveted trophy. For Shillong Lajong, victory would make them only the second club from the Northeast to lift the title. With thousands of football lovers expected to fill the stands, the stage is set for a compelling contest between two teams with history within their reach.

Aakraman are only the third home team to reach the final of Sikkim’s prestigious annual football tournament. Gangtok Municipal Corporation XI won the inaugural edition in 1979, while Gangtok Himalayan SC reached the final in 2019 and 2024, finishing runners-up on both occasions.

Aakraman are determined to become the second home team to lift the trophy.

“We are aware of the history of the Governor’s Gold Cup. Being in the final is a golden opportunity for our club and all the players. The Governor’s Gold Cup has a special place in Sikkim football, and this is a big chance for us to achieve football immortality,” said club president Karma Pintso Wangdi at a press meet.

Midfielder Boxer Pradhan said the team was highly motivated to seize the opportunity, dismissing suggestions that luck alone had carried them to the final.

“We are happy to reach the final, and all the players are highly motivated. People say we were lucky in our matches, but it was the hard work of all the players that helped us win those crucial games,” he said.

Aakraman have certainly shown their resilience on the road to the final. They overcame formidable opposition, including East Bengal FC’s reserve team and Gokulam FC, with both victories coming in stoppage time. Those late winners underlined the team's fighting spirit and ability to sustain their challenge until the final whistle.

The squad, made up largely of local Sikkimese footballers alongside two foreign players and others from neighbouring regions, believes its preparation has been crucial to its campaign.

The club said the recently concluded Sikkim Football Association (SFA) A Division S-League, in which Aakraman finished runners-up, had helped the players build fitness, understanding and consistency through an extended period of playing together.

Wangdi also appealed to football lovers to turn up in large numbers for the final.

“We appeal to the people to come and fill the stands. The final under the floodlights will be special. Come and enjoy football,” he said.

Shillong Lajong, meanwhile, are promising an attacking approach of their own. Coach Birendra Thapa and captain KenstarKharshong said the visitors were ready to deliver an entertaining performance against the home side.

Lajong booked their place in the final by overcoming another local team, Singling SC, in a penalty shootout on Wednesday evening. In the quarterfinal match, Lajong had defeated another home team Black Eagle (Sikkim Police) 3-1.

Thapa acknowledged the challenge of facing a home team in front of its supporters but said his players were ready for the occasion.

“Sikkim Aakraman are a good team and deserve to be in the final. It is not easy to play against a local team on their home ground, as they will give their best to win the match, but we are ready for the final. We did not play well in the quarterfinal, but we are happy with our performance in the semifinal. We will go all out for a win, and let’s play nice football,” he said.

Lajong’s squad features predominantly Northeastern players, alongside two Brazilian footballers. However, fatigue could be a factor for the visitors, who will be playing their third match in six days after making the long journey from Shillong to Gangtok.

There are also concerns over the fitness of striker Sana, who suffered an injury during Wednesday’s semifinal. His availability could be significant as Lajong prepare to face an Aakraman side that has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to strike late.

Lajong are the second team from the Northeast to reach the Governor’s Gold Cup final. Indian Super League side Northeast United FC won the tournament in 2024, and a victory on Friday would make Lajong the second Northeastern club to lift the trophy.