Backed by a vocal crowd, Churchill Brothers leapfrog to the top of the league table with a 3-2 away win over Mumbai FC.
Churchill Brothers showed the character of a champion when they rallied to beat Mumbai FC 3-2 in a pulsating 19th round encounter of the I-League played at the Cooperage here on Sunday. The Goan side leapfrogged to the top of the table with this win, after Sporting Clube de Goa were held by East Bengal to a 1-1 draw in another match played on Sunday.
Backed by a vocal crowd, the inspirational Churchill captain Onyeka Okolie Odafa scored the winner four minutes from time. The match restarted following Robert Lalthlamuana’s own goal that helped the Mumbai side draw level at 2-2. Odafa then took complete advantage of some rather complacent defenders of the home team.
The lanky Nigerian, also the top-scorer of the league with 22 goals, latched on to a loose ball just outside the 18-yard-box to slot it past Mumbai FC goalie Kalyan Chaubey, who didn’t even attempt to make a save, much to the frustration of his coach David Booth. “He (Chaubey) should have saved that one. He didn’t even move!” was what Booth said of the third goal.
However, it was Mumbai FC who took the initiative in the first half, going ahead in the 15th minute through Anees Kutty. Abel Hammond made some decent moves from the right, while Selwyn Fernandes and James Dissimarah kept a close watch on Churchill’s target-man Odafa.
Robert brought Churchill on level terms with a sublime free-kick in the 27th minute to find the top right corner of the nettings, leaving Chaubey with no chance.
With the scores level going into the half time, Churchill were better off the blocks in the second session. They took the lead in the 50th minute once again through a set piece. Robert’s free-kick was headed home by Ogba Kalu Nnanna, much to the delight of their coach Zoran Djokervic and the fans.
In an attempt to change the script, Booth introduced three pairs of fresh legs between the 69th and 76th minute. The trick seemed to pay dividend after Alex Ambrose, who came in for Kalia Kulothungan, made various inroads into the Churchill defence. The last quarter of the match saw plenty of action, with the hosts pressing for the equaliser.
However, it was Churchill (39points) who had the last laugh and with a goal difference of 24, they top the chart. Mumbai FC, meanwhile stay fourth with 27 points.
EB hold Sporting
Sporting Clube de Goa were held to a 1-1 draw by Kolkata giants East Bengal in another 19th round match at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao, on Sunday. Ishmael gave East Bengal the lead in the 42nd minute but Sporting equalised through Joseph Pereira in the 64th minute.
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