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10-man Churchill down Prayag
November 29, 2012
KOLKATA: A 10-man Churchill Brothers showed better application and endurance to outlast a faltering host, Prayag United SC, 2-1 in an eighth round duel of I-League at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, Wednesday.
FIGHT FOR POSSESSION: Prayag United and Churchill
Bros players in action at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata,
Wednesday.
Israil Gurung and his second half substitute Bikramjit Singh found the target once in each half for Churchill Brothers. Bello Rasaq, came up from Prayag United’s deep defence, to reduce the margin with a late goal, which mocked at the failure of the hosts’ famed attack-line.
Churchill Borothers lost their Brazilian play-maker Roberto Silva (Beto), who was sent off with double booking in the 85th minute. By that time the visitors had gained a 2-0 lead.
Fielding a side riddled with injuries and suspension, Prayag United groped for the right approach against the better organisation of their famed opponent. With the likes of Carlos Hernandes (sidelined on disciplinary ground), Dipak Mondal (absent due to bereavement in family) and injured S. Malswamtluanga absent in the side, Prayag United could not muster the winning edge that had been the highlight of their performance so long.
The first half reflected the apparent dichotomy in home side’s game, which suffered for the lack of certitude. The lone goal broke the disenchantment of a mediocre first half. The caution Churchill Brothers adopted being the visitors was outdone by Prayag United, which as the host showed even lesser resolve to go for the offensive. The visitors gradually gained control and pushed for the lead midway through the first half.
The goal matured in the 26th minute but a comedy of errors three minutes before set up the tone. Subrata Paul, the India team goalkeeper which Prayag United acquired by paying a hefty price, made the costly error of gifting a feeble clearance to the opponent midfielder Lenny Rodrigues inside his own box. The Churchill Brothers player, apparently stunned by the surprise gift, shot wide off an open goal.
Paul followed this up with another error when he left his post to clear a minus from Churchill winger Bineesh Balan, missed the ball and got stranded in the middle of nowhere. Beto set up Gurung to do the finishing job.
The hosts found an easy chance to reply in the 38th minute but C K Vineeth, Prayag United’s left winger, failed to hit the target.
The second half saw no major change though Churchill goalkeeper Sandip Nandy gifted a chance to Prayag United in an almost replay of the error committed by his counterpart in the opposing end. Ranty Martins could not avail the opportunity despite getting the ball free on top of the Churchill box.
The miss became bigger when Churchill Brothers doubled the lead in the 72nd minute when Bilal Najjarin sent a smart cross on top of the box for unmarked Bikramjit. The latter made no mistake with his grounder.
After Beto was sent off in the 85th minute Prayag United showed some urgency and reduced the margin in the 89th minute when Bello scored from Ranty’s cross that Nandy had failed to cut off.
Churchill now have 18 points from eight matches while Prayag remain on 14 from the same number of matches.
