Football: Federation Cup: Mahindra, Churchill settle for 2-2 draw

Mahindra United of Mumbai and Churchill Brothers of Goa kept their hopes alive for a semi-final berth when they settled for a 2-2 draw in their league match in group B of the 30th Federation Cup at Vidyasagar stadium in Barasat on Monday evening.

Both the teams have so far earned four points from two matches though the Mumbai outfit is having a better goal average.

The Mumbai team combined well and displayed better passing than their rivals, who preferred to play with long passes which failed to create much danger on the rival fort most of the time.

Mahindra forged into the lead in the 12th minute when Nigerian striker Edeh Chidi, collecting the ball in the rival area, passed the ball to compatriot Sushil Kumar singh who placed it home over the Churchill keeper.

Stung by the reverse, Churchill forced an all out attack and their striker Odafe Okolie gave a backpass to onrushing Dinesh Balan who shot home to bring the equaliser.

Inspired with the leveller, Churchill kept up their pressure and came near scoring again around the midway of first half but Mahindra custodian Subhashish Roy Chowdhury brought up a nice save.

After surviving two Mumbai raids in a couple minutes, Churchill went into attack a minute before the half time and forged ahead through a penalty, which was awarded when Sushant Mathew tripped a goal-bound Odafa inside the box.

Odafa neatly converted the spot kick to take the lead 2-1 which was, however, short-lived as Steven Dias drew level 2-2 soon

Football : I-League: Alvito Misunderstood – Stanley

The left winger accused Stanley of not giving him enough playing time and restricting his on field activity to a mere five –to-ten minutes.

Coach Stanley Rosario felt let down as his player spoke to the media about his issues instead of coming to him. Earlier, Alvito had claimed that he spoke to the coach following the 2-1 loss to Churchill Brothers SC last evening.

“No, after the match I went for the press conference and in the dressing room everyone was quiet. I am shocked on hearing Alvito’s statements. I know him very well. He is a quality player and has given his best to East Bengal over the years.

“However, Alvito knows his fitness levels. All I wanted was that he gets back to his best. I never expected him to take things negatively as he has.”

The former Army XI coach stated that he never asked Alvito to start in the game against Dempo.

“We were playing in Goa and being a local boy, everyone expects him to play. Indirectly, I told him that I want you to come in the second half to change the gear.”

On the accusation by Alvito that he is being underplayed, Stanley mentioned that it was wrong on the part of a senior player like him to make such demands.

“I every player will ask why are you playing me for 10 or 15 minutes then that’s not right. Today Alvito says, I am sure then tomorrow Sanju Pradhan or Nabi might say the same. It’s not right on the part of the players to ask such things.

“As far as having three players in each position goes, the left wing has been a problem. Dharamjit has been out, Alvito was injured for most parts, Renedy has been in and out and so, I was forced to shift Nabi on the left.”

Alvito mentioned that Stanley was only trying to appease national team coach Bob Houghton in the hope of the Englishman retaining him as the assistant coach, in case, things go wrong in East Bengal.

“Nobody speaks about Bob Houghton in the team meetings. We only speak about out team and strategies.

“I shall speak to Alvito and try to clear the air.”