TEAM HERALD

sports@herald-goa.com

MARGAO: Churchill Bros registered their second win with a 3-1 victory over 10-man Mumbai Football Club in a third round I-League encounter at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Saturday. Churchill led 2-0 at half time.

HIGH FLYER: Churchill Bros players try to  dominate over a lone Mumbai Football Club  player at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Saturday.

Mumbai, who had Nigerian striker Evans Quao sent off in the 40^th minute for a foul on man-of-the-match Lebanese striker Akram Moghrabi, remained winless from three encounters.

Mumbai with their superior fitness and speed put Churchill on the mat in the initial period. They almost took the lead in the fourth minute but Nigerian striker ND Opara’s shot struck his own colleague Suhashish Chakraborthy’s leg and went out.

The blitz continued but Mumbai failed to take the lead when midfielder Nicholas Rodrigues’s well executed free kick kissed the bar. Later Ghanaian striker Yakubu Yusif failed to convert an opportunity.

Churchill took the lead in the 15^th minute when midfielder Lenny Rodrigues found wing-back Denzil Franco free on the right flanks. The latter sent a cross across the rival goal and Mumbai defender Abhishek Yadav pushed the ball into his own goal.

Stung by the setback, Mumbai responded positively but striker Yakubu Yusif’s try missed the mark narrowly.

Mumbai striker ND Opara threatened to bulldoze the opposition, making fine runs but his rasping shot missed narrowly.

Akram doubled the lead in the 34^th minute when he nodded home off a flag kick taken by Steven Dias.

Churchill Brothers continued to dictate terms after the break and nearly made it 3-0 but Roberto Mendes’ header hit the crossbar off a chip from Bikramjit Singh

Desperate for the reducer, Mumbai went all-out and their efforts were rewarded in the 64^th minute when midfielder Subhasish floated a flag kick which Yakubu Yusif nodded in, beating Sandip Nandy under the bar.

In the 68^th minute, Churchill put the issue beyond doubt when Roberto Mendes converted a spot kick after Subhasish Chakraborthy fouled Raju Yamunim prompting referee Ajit Meetei to award Churchill the spot kick. Mumbai players disputed the decision but the referee remained firm.

At the fag end, Mumbai goal had narrow escape when substitute Faizal Rehman pulled off a goalline save to deny Akram a sure goal.

Churchill Bros coach Mariano Dias was elated with the three points. “The boys played well today and though there were moments of uncertainty, they quickly regrouped and played well,” said Dias.

“Luck was not in our favour. We will forget this loss in a hurry as we have bigger challenges ahead. We feel that referee made the wrong decision,” expressed a dejected Khalid Jamil, coach of Mumbai.