20 Feb 2017 | 12:16am IST
Minerva win nine-goal thriller against Churchill Bros
Six goals were scored in the first half while another three were struck in the second as the battle ended in favour of the visiting Punjab side climbing to the seventh spot while the Red Machines stay rooted at the rock bottom
VASCO: Derrick Pereira’a first game in charge as the Churchill Brothers FC Coach ended in a 5-4 defeat against Minerva Punjab at Tilak Maidan, Vasco, on Sunday.
The Tilak Maidain witnessed a goal fest in the 90 minutes of duel as the teams shared nine goals between them, wherein the visitors had the last laugh and walked away with the three points.
In the process, Minerva move into the seventh spot for the time-being while Churchill stay rooted at the rock bottom.
Following their recent slump in the I-league, the Red Machines roped in Derrick Pereira as the head coach, and the former Mahindra United and FC Pune coach put up a brilliant tactical display to thousands of spectators who came to witness the high-voltage match.
Despite Derrick’s morale and psychological boost, the visitors scored the first goal in the fourth minute when Kamalpreeth Singh laid an inch perfect delivery to David Ngaihte and the latter’s header beat the rival keeper Priyant Singh.
The Red Machines levelled terms in the seventh minute through Chesterpaul Lyngdoh who ran though entire Minerva defence and shot past the rival keeper.
The home team doubled the lead in the 19th minute when Adil headed in Brendon Fernandes corner kick to make it 2-1.
However the Churchill Bros joy was short lived when Priyant Singh was fraction of seconds late to deny Singh as the latter’s header came off the post and rolled into the nets to draw level.
The visitors took the lead at the half hour mark when Ngaihte ran down the left flank and crossed to Souvik Das, who tapped in past helpless Priyant.
Minutes later, Brendon’s free kick was fisted away by Arnab Das. The Benaulim lad worked tirelessly in supplying to his strike force but the forefront failed to keep their composure in front of the goal.
After much pressing, the Red Machines equalised just before the break. Chesterpaul’s cross was headed in by Anthony Wolfe which fell to Kromah, who on his second attempt blasted the nets, after his initial attempt came back to him off the cross bar.
Crossing ends, the visitors increased the tempo and took the lead in the 51st minute through Loveday Enyinnaya.
Back to a goal deficit, Churchill Bros pressed into Minerva area in search of the equaliser. First Chersterpaul missed a sitter before Anthony’s effort sailed over the bar.
Finally in the 75th minute Churchill Brothers were awarded a spot kick when Kromah was brought down in the box by Nurain. Kromah stepped over and coolly converted the spot kick to draw level.
Just as it seemed the Goan side would snatch a late winner, Keenan Almeida was found guilty of handling the ball in the box which forced referee to point at the spot.
Nurain blasted past from 12 yard spot to send Priyant at the wrong end to give the visitors 5-4 win.
