GANGTOK: United Sikkim FC managed to hold a spirited Pailan Arrows to a goalless draw, at the Paljor Stadium, here, on Sunday (November 4). The highlight of the match would definitely be a forgettable I-League return for Bhaichung Bhutia. The principal owner of the local team Bhutia came in as a substitute in the 78th minute and could only spend 6 minutes in the field. 
He received two yellow cards and was sent off. 

Both sides had number of chances to score in the first half but none could convert. Pailan Arrows were more composed and played a number of passes to make forays into the United Sikkim citadel.

Holicharan Narzary probably missed the easiest chance of the day when he failed to convert in the 21st minute from hand-shaking distance. In the 33rd minute, a long throw from Narayan Das into the United Sikkim box found Pritam Kotal, who could only muster a meek header straight to goalkeeper Yoon Tae.

In between, United Sikkim captain Anwar Ali forced Pailan Arrows goalkeeper Soram Poirei Angamba to make a beautiful save and striker Nurudeen Salau hit the outside netting of the Pailan Arrows goal. 

United Sikkim has started with two changes bringing in Safar Sadar to replace Sandesh Jhingan in defence and Nima Tamang in midfield in place of the injured Buddiram Tudu. 

Moments after coming in as a substitute in the 78th minute, Bhaichung made a wild lunge on Deepak Devrani to receive his first booking. 

In the 84th minute, a United Sikkim long ball was collected by Anganba to which Bhaichung jabbed with his hand. Referee CR Krishna promptly handed the second yellow card and the subsequent red card to him.

With this draw, United Sikkim managed to arrest their losing streak having lost both its two previous encounters while Pailan Arrows continues its unbeaten run in four matches.

After the match, Bhaichung apologised to his fans and teammates. “I am very sorry to my fans and team. It was the most stupid thing I have done in my career and it will not happen again. I am very disappointed with myself and I completely regret it”, he said.