Football: I League: Junior’s brace sinks JCT

Sporting Clube continued to keep their winning momentum going as they over came a stiff challenge to down JCT 2-1 and remain at the top of the table in the ONGC I-league at the Nehru stadium in Margao on Sunday.

Junior Obagbemiro was the star of the show for Sporting as he scored in the 29th and 47th minute, while Jagpreet Singh was the lone scorer for JCT in the 56th minute.

JCT started earnestly as they moved the ball with quick short passes followed by long over head passes to unsettle the rival defence. They had the ball possession for a long spell in the first half and have two clear chances but Eduardo failed to direct the ball on target off a cross from Balwant Singh.

Sporting, who did well to guard their citadel, came with a counter move and surged ahead in the 29th minute. Joseph Pereira’s low shot was deflected by goalkeeper Karanjit Singh on to the path of Junior, who tapped the ball in to give Sporting the lead.

The striker doubled Sporting’s lead soon after the interval when he shot home a cross from Bibiano Fernandes in the 67th minute. JCT continued to probe into the rival half and reduced the margin in the 56th minute when Jagpreet’s rasping volley from the top of the box gave no chance to goalkeeper Felix D’souza to react as the ball found the roof of the net.

Sporting, who lead the standings, now have 25 points from 11 matches, four ahead of Mohun Bagan.

Football: I League: Mohun Bagan sink Mahindra

Mohun Bagan bounced back into the reckoning after registering their fifth win on the trot by prevailing over Mahindra United 1-0 in an ONGC I-league match at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Monday.

The all important goal was netted by Indian captain and striker Baichung Bhutia in the 48th minute.

Determined to earn full points, both the teams started on an even keel and exchanged attacks on each other.

Mahindra were unlucky not to score a goal in the 10th minute as Bagan defender Peter Odafe made a goal-line save off a fine attempt by rival medio Pradip who outwitted goalie Sangram Mukherjee. But, to Bagan’s relief Pradip’s shot went off after hitting Odafe’s leg.

The city giants had a chance to forge ahead three minutes before breather but medio Rakesh Masih’s shot went out after hitting keeper Subhasis Roy Choudhury.

However, Bagan did not have to wait long for the match winner which came three minutes after the change-over. This time, Baichung converted a half chance of Lal Kamal Bhowmik.

Bagan dominated the proceedings for the rest of the match but could not increase the lead.

After the completion of tenth round, Bagan after this win is in the second spot in the league table with 18 points from 10 matches while Mahindra stayed put at nine points.

Sporting Clube de Goa lead the table with 22 points.

Football: I-League Preview: Mohammedan Sporting – Dempo SC

This article is taken from Goal.com, all due credits to them

On any other week, this would be just another clash but with the defending champions Dempo in desperate need for points, all eyes would be glued to the action at Salt Lake Stadium when the Goan side takes on Mohammedan Sporting in a ninth round I-League clash.

Difficult Period…

The Kolkata side haven’t had a very good league campaign so far. With only nine points in their kitty, the club shall look to make their home games count. Earlier, it was the defence which was a cause of worry for Coach Shabbir Ali. But with addition of Anit Ghosh and Madhab Das, the backline looked far more stable as in the earlier games.

Their strike duo of Mike Okoro and Theodore Sunday haven’t had an eventful campaign with the former suffering from fitness problems. Okoro did well against Mahindra and got his side three points but since then, the Ghanaian has been quiet.

At the start of the season, Shabbir Ali stated that his side is primarily dependent on their foreign contingent. With two of three foreign players failing to deliver and going by the coach’s words, their team is in bad form.

Midfielder Adebayo Adewusi has been fighting it hard in the middle of the park and surging ahead at every given opportunity. His presence in the middle has been a boon for the Black and Whites.

It’s high time that Mohammedan picks themselves up and restore some pride before the league enters its winter break.

Returning To Normalcy

No one would have expected Dempo to have a pedestrian showing in the league especially after making history by reaching the AFC Cup semi-finals. Languishing in the lower half of the league table, the Goan side struggled in two key departments – striking and defending.

They wouldn’t convert their chances and that got Coach Armando Colaco to scratch his head for the first time in several years. The defence was committing errors and the confidence which one associated with them was nowhere to be seen except in the midfield. Anthony Pereira, Climax Lawrence and Beto have been exceptional this season.

It doesn’t take long for them to stamp their authority on the match and get the opposition players behind the ball. After a convincing victory over Chirag United in the last round, the defending champions shall look to continue the very same form.

Such was their display that it prompted their coach to mention that his side are back to their best. Three points in this game would help them move ahead in the league ladder and thus finish in the top half.

Form Guide

Mohammedan Sporting

November 14 ’08 Mohammedan Sporting 1-0 Vasco SC (I-League)

November 8 ’08 Chirag United 1-0 Mohammedan Sporting (I-League)

November 2 ’08 Mohammedan Sporting 0-0 East Bengal (I-League)

Dempo SC

November 16 ’08 Dempo SC 4-0 Chirag United (I-League)

November 11 ’08 Mumbai FC 0-0 Dempo SC (I-League)

November 8 ’08 Dempo SC 0-1 Sporting Clube De Goa (I-League)

Team News

The good news for Mohammedan is that Sheikh Azim is back after missing out most of the league campaign. Anit Ghosh and Mir Farooq are back from suspension. The bad news is that Theodore Sunday hasn’t yet recovered while skipper Mike Okoro remains doubtful. Dempo continue to be without striker Mboyo Iyomi who suffered a hamstring injury in the match against Mumbai FC. Defender Mahesh Gawli is back from injury.

Key Areas

Pretty much looks like a one sided match and any loss of points would be Dempo’s own squandering.

Key Players

Vimal Pariyar: The former East Bengal scored in the last game and his pace is certainly threatening. Ranti Martins: The Nigerian is back amongst goals after his two against Chirag. He shall look to add more to his tally.

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.

Football: I-League: Air India pip JCT

Uttam Singh is turning out to be Air-India’s trump card in the ongoing I-League a la Stoke City’s midfielder Rory Delap.

The Manipuri sweeper’s patented long throw ins finally prised open JCT’s rugged defense, paving the way for substitute Samson Singh to score the match winner in the 85th minute in a seventh round match at the Cooperage on Sunday.

Ironically, it was again a short man who got the goal for Air-India from this unusual set piece.

The 1-0 victory extended Air-India’s winning streak on their home turf in this tournament and helped them to fly high to 14 points and second place, four behind leaders Sporting Clube de Goa [Images]. The Phagwara outfit, who were decidedly superior on Sunday and did not deserve to lose, stuttered to their second defeat and continue to remain in fifth spot with nine points.

It was a faulty clearance by international stopper back Anwar Ali, a rare blemish, which resulted in the throw in from the right flank that led to Air-India’s goal. Ali and his colleague Julius Akpele at the heart of the JCT defense, gave nothing way and neutralized Air-India’s occasional attacks with solid panache.

The home side, who were subdued in the first half and could not get their speedy wingers going, did create some golden opportunities as the game drew to a close with substitute Emmanuel Oveighara finding the cross bar with an acrobatic back header in the 85th minute.

Three minutes later the Nigerian striker was fractionally out of position to finish a lightning counter from the left even as Michael Tayo got to the ball and had his try deflected by goalkeeper Karanjit for a corner.

JCT had the measure of their opponents in the first session in which Eduardo Escobar da Silva was a livewire and a constant threat to the local fortress. The Brazilian was responsible for almost all the attempts and the plays and also threatened from his set pieces. However, his striking partner Balwant was not up to the challenge and was replaced after the change over by Harvinder who proved to be equally ineffective.

With the Brazilian fading out and not proving to be the same danger in the second session, Air-India were able to come more into the game. But they were even more successful in also blunting the edge of JCT’s attacks with their robust tactics.

Luckily, the free kicks they conceded in the critical areas did not prove costly.

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.

I League Football

Here is the PTI report about JCT’s match with Vasco

Newly promoted Vasco held JCT to a goalless draw in a listless second round match of the ONGC I-League at Nehru stadium here today.
The match never rose to great heights as both the teams lacked creativity besides wasting the scoring chances that came their way.

JCT, who had more of the exchanges and scoring chances, failed to make the finishing touches with rival keeper Laxmikant Kattimani coming to his side’s rescue on a couple of occasions.

Visiting coach Sukhwinder Singh was, however, satisfied at his team’s performance although they could not collect full points.

“Collecting four points from two away matches is a satisfying result,” he said.

JCT now play Mohammedan sporting at home in their next match on October 11.

The draw ensured Vasco their first point after they lost to Sporting Clube de Goa in their earlier match.

Vasco fielded all their three foreigners for the first time but did not create much of an impact as they failed to click as a team. Their midfield made lots of errors, allowing their rivals to probe more often.

JCT, who beat defending champions Dempo in their earlier match, had at least three chances in the first half but Vasco keeper Laxmikant denied Eduardo Silva from scoring twice.

I League updates

Air India and Md Sporting drew their match 1-1 at the Barasat Stadium in Kolkata.

Dempo suffers a loss

Defending champions Dempo were defeated by JCT 2-1 in the I League Match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa yesterday i.e Sunday.