In the on-going JNEC Open Football Tournament, Transport United ousted the defending champions, Dungsam Academy with a sole goal. Last years semi-finalist, Transport United took the lead in the early first half with a goal from Younten Phuntsho. Last year, Transport United were denied a place in the finals when they succumbed to 3-2 defeat by Druk Nganglam FC.

Last year Dungsam Academy lifted the Poly Open 2015 trophy by defeating Druck Nganglam FC 1-0 in the final but the champions were unfortunate to exit early from the tournament this year.

Dungsam Academy, JNEC Staff, Survey FC and All Brothers FC were the first four teams who failed to make a spot in last 8 teams.

Dungsam Academy team are now through to the knock-out round after managing two draws in the league round matches. In both the league round matches Dunsgam fought back from 1-0 down to secure 2 points which guaranteed their place in last 16.
Along with Dungsam, Shercol, GCBS, JNEC- Staff, Sonam Tyres SJU, Druk Luungtas, IT Plus, Transport United, Survey FT, JNEC XI, Oldies 786 has also booked their place in the Round of 16.

The opening ceremony of the 2^nd JNEC Open Football Tournament took place on 16^th April, coinciding with the Zhabdrung Kuchoe. The opening of the tournament was scheduled on the auspicious day to mark the 400^th anniversary of Zhabdrung’s arrival in Bhutan.

JNEC XI, the Jigme Namgyel Engineering College team marked their first win by defeating Dewathang United 3-2, in the opening match. Though the low fog hindered the visibility, the match officials after consultation with the team captains decided to play on. The fog was so dense that the spectators has to wait for whistle to go to know whether a goal has been scored.

Karma Wangchuk scored the opening goal for JNEC XI in 15^th minute followed by Phub Gyeltshen in the 20^th minutes. Sonam Tshering put back the Dewathang United into the competition by scoring a brace with few minutes to half-time whistle.

In the second half, JNEC continued to press forward the ball and the breakthrough came in 66^th minute by Depak Gurung, putting forward the team with 3-1 lead. Rinzin Cheda of Dewathang came into rescue in last dying minutes but it was too little too late and the team slumped to 2-3 defeat in their opening match.

Predicting a win or lose has become extremely difficult in football now. Be it in the professional arena or in a local league one can expect unexpected. Football never fails to entertain with the unpredictable pack of surprises in every matchs.

Can the defending champion retain their crown? Everybody questions if the reigning champions can make it this time and defend their title. Dungsam Academy are the defending champion the humbled D.N FC in the finals to win the championship last year. But the locals are skeptic to favor Dungsam Academy as winner this year. With more teams with better footballing skills competing against each other, defending a title is expected to be very difficult.

A total of unprecedented 24 teams from different region including teams from Phuntsholing, Sherubtse College, Gaeddu College of Business Studies, Pemagatshel, Wamromg, Nganglam, Bhangtar and teams from vicinity are competing in the tournament. It is expected that the presence of teams from three different colleges will take the tournament to different level.