Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
VASCO: Mechac Koffi’s first half strike proved to be the match-winner for Churchill Brothers Football Club in the Hero- I-League match against Aizawl FC, at Tilak Maidain, on Monday.
The Ivorian scored the only goal of the match in the 21st minute when he tapped home Nicholas Fernandes cross. C Lalrosanga saw red for Aizawl as he brought down last man Ceesay just outside the box with ten minutes to go for the final whistle.
The win takes Churchill Brother on sixteen points, same as Aizawl FC, but remain on seventh position as the Mizoram club shared better goal difference.
Coach Alfred Fernandes made one change in his side which beat Minerva Punjab 2-1 as Richard Costa made way for Suraj Singh while Aizawl FC coach Paulo Jorge Menezes made four changes with Rinmuana, Lalhriatrenga, Shylo Mama and Lalthathanga featuring in the playing eleven.
It was a cagey affair as both the sides had their chances to shoot into the lead. First, Nicholas saw his header narrowly miss the frame before Aizawl FC had a goal disallowed after the linesman flagged Andrei Lonescue’s corner kick deemed to have crossed the line before curling in to Leonce, who passed to Masih Saighani, and the latter headed in, but much to the dismay of the Aizawl camp, the goal was ruled out.
At the other end, Churchill Brothers FC shoot into the lead when Nicholas, on receiving a long pass from the back line, beat his marker Laldinliana, and sent in a cross to Koffi, who had to tap in to make it 1-0.
The second half was more of intense battle. While one team tried to score the equaliser, the other looked to consolidate the lead to better the head to head record. However, both failed.
Aizawl FC were reduced to 10 man when Lalrosanga brought down Dawda Ceesay just outside the box. Churchill Bros failed to take the numerical advantage to consolidate their lead as the final score remained 1-0.
Churchill Brothers FC Coach Alfredo was delighted with the team’s win and stated that certain on field decisions by the officials could have changed the fate of the game and the league standings too.
“There were two clear penalties but we were at the receiving end. Even some of the opponent player admitted that. At the end of the day, the three points are vital,” explained Alfredo Fernandes.
Churchill Brothers FC next play Indian Arrows on Feb 10 in Goa and the coach admitted that it’s advantage of playing in Goa. “Goa is our home, and we have the home advantage, and we can put more points on our table.” he added.
Speaking during the post-match conference Paulo Jorge Menezes said, “We tried to find the equaliser. Unfortunately we couldn’t score though we had our chances. In the last ten minutes of the game, playing with one man less, it was very difficult.”
