Football:I-League: Injury Time Equaliser Leaves Churchill Frustrated

A brilliant come back by Air India saw them snatch a point from under Churchill’s nose as Michael Tayo scored an injury time goal to deny Churchill full three points in an eighth round I-League encounter at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa.

Churchill Brothers would be disappointed having dropped two crucial points and this is the fifth consecutive game where they have failed to win. They continue to occupy the third position with 14 points from nine outings.

The Airmen shall consider themselves lucky to escape with a point and are currently second on the table with 16 points.

Churchill Brothers saw most of the ball but couldn’t convert the chances that came their way thanks to some brilliant goalkeeping on display by Air India’s Arup Debnath. His alertness and quick reaction denied Churchill for long. Kalu Nnanna’s right footer was well saved by the Air India custodian.

The Mumbai club were lucky to escape as defender Chukuwama Udofia made a goalline save off a Chitra Sen shot. The goal came in the 38th minute as Odafa Okolie from inside the box drew two defenders and then chipped for Felix to head it in.

In the second session, Churchill continued to apply pressure and it was only the brilliance of Arup Debnath which came in their path. He made some stunning saves off Bineesh Balan, Odafa Okolie and Felix Chimaokwu.

The Goan side slowed down and it was well exploited by Air India coach Bimal Ghosh. He brought on fresh legs in the form of Samson Singh, Gauranga Biswas and Thomte for Kailash Patil, Surojit Roy and Napoleon Singh. The positive changes spurred Air India as they dominated the proceedings in the last quarter or so.

Their efforts brought reward in the final minute of injury time when Michael Tayo tapped it in from close range. This would certainly boost the morale of Air India who could have come out empty handed from the match.

Churchill were left to rue their defensive errors and would need to get it right before they travel to Kolkata to face Mohammedan Sporting and East Bengal.

Arup Debnath was awarded the Man of the Match award.

Final Score: 1-1

Goalscorer Churchill: Felix Chimaokwu (38th min)

Goalscorer Air India: Michael Tayo (93rd)

Football: I League. Mumbai FC rally to hold Churchill Bros

Goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya’s lapse allowed Mumbai FC to come from behind and hold Churchill brothers to an exciting 2-2 draw in the ONGC I-League match, played at Nehru Stadium in Margao on Saturday.

Mumbai FC held initial forays as they took the lead in the 10th minute through Abhishek Yadav. The lead was later neutralised by Odafe Okolie in the 20th minute as both the teams led 1-1 at half time.

Churchill Bros who had a major share of exchanges in the second half went ahead in the 70th minute through Reisangmi Vashum as his goal-bound cross from the right deflected rival defender Sanjay Parte and eluded keeper Kalyan Chaubey to find the far post.

Mumbai FC showed the fighting spirit as they equalised five minutes later through a soft goal. Following a flag kick, Wilson floated the ball into the box. Keeper Arindam Bhattacharya charged out to collect the aerial ball but failed to hold it as the ball popped out from his hand and an unmarked Kulothungan shot it into the empty net from the top of the box.

The draw took Churchill Bros to 13 points from 8 matches. Mumbai FC have collected 11 points from as many matches.

Both the teams played the game at fast pace. Mumbai FC who raised their game this time showed the fighting spirit which lacked against Sporting Clube de Goa , when they played last here.

Churchill Bros coach Zoran Djordjevic was disappointed with the draw. “Our boys failed to convert scoring chances and also our defense fumbled at crucial juncture which has led to the draw,” he said.

On the other hand Mumbai FC coach David Booth was satisfied with the result. “It was a big match and our boys showed fighting spirit when the chips were down. In the end it was a good draw,” said Booth.

Mohun Bagan edge past Churchill

A first-half strike by PC Lalawmpuia helped Mohun Bagan beat Churchill Brothers 1-0 as the Goan side suffered their first defeat of the ONGC [Get Quote] I-League at the floodlit Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Sunday.

The magic of Karim Bencherifa, the former Churchill Brothers coach, who was instrumental in transforming the team last season, was clearly evident right from the start.

The Moroccan’s strategy of holding up the ominous Odafe Okolie and Felix Chimhaokwu paid dividends as the hosts prevailed in the first-half.

The visitors tried to gain some feet after the changeover but even luck did not favour the Churchill Brothers, who on goal difference had finished runners-up to Dempo in 2007-08.

Taking advantage of their home conditions, Mohun Bagan dominated match with some aggressive display in the first-half of the Round VII encounter.

With the Goan side’s forward line up — Odafe Okolie, Felix Chimhaokwu and Ogba Kalu Manna — well-marked by the back-line of NS Manju, Habibur Rahman Mondal, Deepak Mondal and Isfaq Ahmed, Mohun Bagan did not give any chance to Churchill Brothers.

At a time when their strikers looked unpenetrative, a poor judgement from the part of Churchill Brothers’ goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya was enough for the home team to go 1-0 up.

It was mercurial Lalawmpuia who did the honours in the 13th minute with a deft touch as Bhattacharya failed to get hold of the surging Mizo striker who got the cross from the mid-field by Marcos Pereira.

Five minutes later, Churchill Brothers got a golden chance to equalise. With Mohun Bagan defender Habibur Rahman Mondal making a mistake in the 18th minute, Churchill could have easily equalised but Khemtang Paite messed up an Odafe Okolie pass to remain 0-1 down.

The I-League leading scorer, Odafe Okolie, too missed his magic touch. The Nigerian ace, who is leading the I-League tally with nine goals, failed to convert a free kick in the 40th minute.

Churchill looked to step up their attack in the second half but their striking duo of Felix and Odafe lacked finishing touches even as Mohun Bagan defence was left in a disarray.

Minutes after the changeover, Felix failed to capitalise on a defensive lapse by Habibur Rahman Mondal.

Bagan’s Lalawmpuia got a chance to increase the lead but his shot from an Isfaq Ahmed pass in the 68th minute was deflected Churchill goalkeeper Bhattacharya.

With two wins on the trot, Mohun Bagan now have nine points, three less than Churchill Brothers. In their last match, 10-man Mohun Bagan defeated reigning champions Dempo with an identical scoreline.