FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
AGENCIES, VASCO: Churchill Brothers FC Goa and Aizawl FC battled to a 1-1 draw in a fifth-round fixture of the Hero I-League 2022-23 at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco da Gama, Goa on Friday.
A first-half goal by Churchill Brothers debutant Kamo Stephane Bayi was neutralized by Henry Kisekka’s header in the second half.
Churchill Brothers, looking for their first win in the league this season, failed in their objective and the draw brought them only their second point. They languish at 11th in the 12-team league. Aizawl move up to eighth position with five points from as many matches.
Churchill Brothers did the early running and struck in the third minute. Lalawmpuia Sailo won a freekick in an attacking position after being fouled by Aizawl’s Eisuke Mohri. The young Churchill midfielder then sent a curling cross into the box for Ponif Vaz at the far post who headed the ball across for Kamo Stephane Bayi to tap into an open net.
The visitors began piling on pressure when they received four back-to-back corners but couldn’t take advantage of the set-piece situations. Defender Emmanuel Makinde went the closest as he hit the side netting in the fourth corner.
Churchill captain Kingslee Fernandes went close but Aizawl goalkeeper Vikram Singh thwarted his efforts to swell the lead.
In the 33rd minute, the Red Machines frittered an opportunity when Lalkhawpuimawia took time to pull the trigger, allowing Vikram to close him down.
Ten minutes into the second half, Churchill’s Kamo Bayi’s curler from the edge of the box, was parried away by goalkeeper Vikram.
Kingslee, along with Sailo and Quan Gomes, constantly troubled the Aizawl defence with their skills and movement while on the defensive end, Raju Gaikwad was ever-present for Churchill to hinder Aizawl’s attack.
It turned into an end-to-end affair as the game approached the final whistle. Aizawl went up a gear looking for the equalising goal and finally succeeded in the 75th minute. A perfect left-footed cross from Zodingliana Ralte found Kisekka in the box and the Ugandan striker made no mistake as he headed the ball cleanly into the net.
Churchill Brothers head coach Antonio Rueda introduced the likes of Tana and Abdoulaye Sané in their bid to find the winner. It was all Churchill in the final minutes, however, the visitors went the closest. During stoppage time, substitute Jeremy Laldinpuia grabbed onto a loose ball with his perfect touch before darting into the penalty area, but his left-footer was saved by Churchill goalkeeper Gomes in the last action of the game.
Result: Churchill Brothers 1 (Kamo Stephane Bayi 4’) drew with Aizawl FC 1 (Henry Kisekka 75’).
