SPORT: Tománn Indo-China off to a Winning Start

Tománn Indo-China 2-1 Republic of Talamthom

In the first match of the Tománnach Inter-Regional Football Association (TIFA) Championships 2005 the hosts have managed to force an upset against 'the Fatherland'. The Tománnach colony in southern Tibet, an area formerly under the control of the Chinese Soviet Republic which still controls northern tibet, has only had a matter of weeks to formulate a 'national team' prior to the start of this tournament. The Tománn Indo-China (TIC) team consisted of a 50-50 mix of local Tibetans and Tománnach colonials but somehow has managed to achieve this great victory at the Potela Hill Stadium, Lhasa today.

The colony was chosen by TIFA to host the competition following discussions with the Governor of TIC and the Tibetan Cultural Association. They saw the opportunity of hosting a football tournament as a great chance to promote touristic interest in the area, not just from Talamthom but globally.

During the match the Republic of Talamthom had the lions share of all the action with nearly 67% of all the possession. Talamthom took the lead after just 10 minutes of play when Rangers winger Seamus MacLeod drove home a beautiful 30 yard shot from directly in front of the goal. The TIC goalkeeper, Patrick O'Haga, couldn't even respond as the ball came flying from behind a defensive mess in front of him.

TIC then drew level on the stroke of half-time following a poor goal-kick from Talamthom's goalie John Maguire which found itself at the feet of TIC striker Finn McCloud. McCloud, who plays his football for TFA Second Division side Tibet Tygers, then ran full-throttle for 20 yards with the ball before slotting it home past the helpless goalkeeper.


McCloud can't hide his joy after equalising
on the stroke of half-time.

Talamthom started the second half as strongly as they did the first but just could find the net. So it was, in the 87th minute, that following a corner at the other end of the pitch TIC cleared the ball and it found itself with the nippy local boy Shiwa Jalus, who also plays for Tibet Tygers, who ran with it down the right wing. Jalus, when level with the edge of the penalty area, floated in a perfect cross which met with the diving head of McCloud.

This game will have rattled Talamthom and the team's manager, Kevin Wilson, but they are expected to bounce back with some vigour in their next match. Additionally it has made a local hero of McCloud in TIC, something that he will be hoping to build on ready for the match against East Fealsamthom next week.

More information on the TIFA Championships 2005 can be found in the Portela Hill Stadium, Lhasa, Tománn Indo-China by clicking here.