SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2024
Team Herald
MAPUSA: Churchill Brothers FC came from a goal down to hold Cortalim Villagers SWSC in the Goa Professional League held at Duler stadium here on Wednesday.
Before the start of the match one minute silence was observed for the departed souls of former two National footballer goalkeepers, Mr.Arvinda Singh-Vasco SC and Mr.Eugenio Cardozo-Dempo SC.
Both the teams played cautiously in the first thirty minutes of play with both the keeper's leaving their charge to clear one to one attempts from Churchill's Trijoy Dias and Cortalim Villagers Nogmeikapam Meitei.
After the water break, Red Machine saw Shario Gomes long floater at the goal hit the post and travel out.
Cortalim Villagers came with two threatening moves, where in the 38th minute Vikram Venkatchalam strike from close was saved by Churchill's goalkeeper Subhajit Bhattacharjee.
However four minutes later the custodian could do little to stop their rivals taking the lead.
Nongpmeikapam Meitei moved dangerously inside the penalty box and sent a perfect cut-back pass to overlapping Jaison Vaz who connected the ball past the helpless Churchill's goalkeeper 1-0.
On crossing over Red Machine came strongly into the match.
Cortalim Villagers custodian Francis Vincent thwarted Tipanna Bhavikaiti in one to one situation in the 53rd minute while couple of minutes later Trijoy Dias sent a dangerous cross to skipper Jobern Cardozo whose strike sailed just over the crossbar.
In the 65th minute Churchill's Trijoy Dias and Cortalim Villagers Sidney Lucas received marching orders by referee Ritesh Parsekar for fighting.
Red Machine came once again to level terms but keeper Francis Vincent paired Lunminlen Haokip fierce shot at the first post for a corner.
Red Machine finally tasted success in the 85th minute where Jobern Cardozo shot from outside the penalty box was not cleanly collected by Cortalim's goalkeeper Francis where Alent Colaco set up Lunminlen Haokip who toed the ball into the goal 1-1.
Just two minutes later Churchill's would have taken the lead where once again Cortalim's custodian Francis fumbled in collecting Lalawmpuia Sailo cross and the ball rolled to Alent Colaco whose strike at the goal deflected off defender Clive Miranda for a corner.
Cortalim Villagers K. Dhanushraj received the man of the match award from the hands of Marcelino Pereira-SAG Technical Director.
At Sirsaim ground: Sesa FA registered a solitary goal win over Panjim Footballers.
Joshua D’Silva scored the all important goal in the 87th minute of play.
