Team Herald
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
RAIA: Churchill Brothers moved past Panjim Footballers 4-2 in the Goa Professional League Relegation Zone match played at Benaulim ground, on Thursday.
Churchill Brothers pressed forward with intent in the first half, constantly searching for a breakthrough, but in vain. Panjim Footballers also made some inroads but could not get the results.
Churchill Brothers came out in the second half with renewed intensity and their efforts paid off in the 50th minute when Lunminlen Haokip finally broke the deadlock.
Alent Colaco threaded a precise through ball to Haokip, who weaved past Panjim Footballers Goalkeeper Bhaskar Jalmi before firing his shot. Though Jalmi managed to get a hand to the initial effort, the rebound fell to Haokip, who took a touch, evaded the scrambling defenders and calmly slotted it into the bottom left corner.
Just two minutes later, Churchill Brothers doubled their advantage in dramatic fashion. Jolly Singh fired a low drive from the edge of the box, which took a crucial deflection off Panjim Footballers defender Sainath Kankonkar, wrong-footing goalkeeper Bhaskar Jalmi and nestling into the net.
Minutes later, Churchill Brothers were reduced to 10 men as Scott Fernandes was shown a straight red card for dissent, putting his side under pressure.
Despite being down to 10 men, Churchill Brothers struck again, with Haokip securing his brace in style. Winning possession at the edge of the box, he spotted the advanced goalkeeper and coolly chipped the ball into the net, extending Churchill Brothers’ lead to 3-0.
In the dying minutes, Panjim Footballers’ Veron Pereira pulled one back with a sublime curling effort from the left flank that sailed into the far post.
Deep into stoppage time, Panjim Footballers were awarded a penalty after Richie Vaz’s strike was handled inside the box. Veron stepped up and calmly slotted it home, completing his brace.
But Haokip had the final say, sealing his hat-trick in emphatic fashion. Alent slipped in a precise through ball, allowing Haokip to charge into the box before smashing his shot through the legs of the Panjim Footballers goalkeeper, securing a 4-2 victory for Churchill Brothers.
At Nagoa ground, Guardian Angel SC clinched a 4-2 victory over Pax of Nagoa, fuelled by a stunning hat-trick from Ronald Singh while own goal from Clemente further bolstered Guardian Angel SC’s tally. While Pax of Nagoa fought back with strikes from Stephen Satarkar and Shubert Pereira to reduce the deficit.
