Team Herald
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
RAIA: Namdhari FC shocked league leaders Churchill Brothers with a 1-0 victory in the I-League 2024-25, at the Raia ground, on Wednesday. The defeat marked Churchill Brothers’ second loss of the season and dealt a blow to their hopes of extending their lead at the top of the table.
Churchill remain first after seven rounds with 13 points, but Namdhari’s resurgence has moved them to third place with 11 points from seven matches. The game’s only goal came from a Churchill substitute, Maibam Deny Singh, who scored an own goal at the stroke of half-time.
Churchill started strongly, eager to maintain their fine form that had seen them rise to the top. Namdhari, however, focused on disrupting play in midfield, effectively frustrating their opponents for much of the first half.
Namdhari had the first clear chance when Manvir Singh turned his marker in the box and unleashed a powerful shot, which goalkeeper Sayad Bin Abdul Kadir saved impressively. Churchill’s first real opportunity came when Anil Rama Gaonkar drove into the box and fired from a tight angle, forcing a strong parry from Namdhari keeper Jaspreet Singh. The rebound fell to Wayde Lekay, but his first-time effort was blocked and went out of play.
Despite sustained pressure from Churchill, their lack of precision in the final third proved costly. Namdhari capitalised on a free-kick just before half-time. The cross found Lamine Moro in the six-yard box. Although under pressure from two defenders, the Ghanaian managed to get a touch on the ball, which deflected off Deny Singh and into the net, giving Namdhari an unexpected lead at the break.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Churchill dominating possession but failing to convert their chances. Namdhari, meanwhile, employed tactical fouls and breaks in play to disrupt the game’s rhythm.
Churchill’s best opportunity came in injury time when a poorly cleared corner fell to Rama Gaonkar at the edge of the box. His perfectly controlled volley, however, flew just wide.
