Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
VASCO: Churchill Brothers FC registered their third win in a row following their 2-0 win over Indian Arrows, in the Hero I-League match, played at Tilak Maidan, Vasco, on Monday.
Two late strikes from Dawda Ceesay and Israil Gurung helped the Red Machines overcome strong challenge from Arrows.
Churchill Brothers FC coach Alfredo Fernandes fielded an unchanged eleven which won against Shillong Lajong, while Indian Arrows coach Luis Norton de Matos made two changes in his playing eleven – Deeapk Tangri replaced injured Jeakson Singh and Abhijit Sarkar came in for Edmund Lalrindika.
Aiming for their third win in a row, the Goan side began the match on an attacking front from the word go. Churchill Brothers almost took the lead when Britto PM found Koffi with an accurate through ball and the latter made no mistake to slam the ball past Indian Arrows’ keeper Prabhsukhan Singh, however, much to the dismay of the celebrating crowd, referee Pratik Mondal ruled out the goal offside.
Matos’ lads had a nervy beginning, which saw them conceded series of raids from the attacking Churchill Brothers, but the poor Red Machines finishing kept them in the game. First – Britto’s long range went way off target before Uttam Rai, after dribbling couple of Indian Arrows defender, saw his low left footer sail past the post.
Indian Arrows’ Suresh Singh Wangjam made timely runs in the Red Machines’ territory but the lad just couldn’t get past the strong Churchill Brothers defence which was led by Osagie Monday and Yendrembam Denechandram Meitei. Koffi had the best chance of the first half when Denachandram curled in a long ball to the striker, which beat the entire Indian Arrows’ wall and fell straight to Koffi, but the Ivorian shot wide with only the keeper at his mercy.
The strong and well-built Churchill Brothers FC, who started with five foreign recruits, visibly overpowered Indian Arrows.
At the half hour mark, Indian Arrows came up with well built move which saw Boris Singh and Abhijit Sarkar break the Red Machines’ defence with ease, but yet again Monday came to his side’s rescue with a timely clearance.
At the other end, Koffi missed another sitter, surely a half to forget for the Ivorian.
Matos fumed his frustrations at the touchline as his side struggled to lose possession too easily.
Crossing over, Churchill Brothers continued their attacking play with Dawda initiating the play with accurate long deliveries and precise passes, however, his teammates fumbled upfront when it mattered most.
The young Arrows were determined and showed lot of fighting spirit as they contained and frustrated the Red Machines. Prabhsukhan Singh Gill played his role well under the bar too.
Indian Arrows almost took a surprise lead when Rahul Balan made his way past Hussien Eldor and Monday, but the midfielder’s shot was brilliantly saved by Churchill Brothers keeper James Kithan.
Minutes later, Indian Arrows’ keeper Gill easily swallowed in Monday’s header.
Churchill Brothers pressed hard in the last ten minutes of the match and Kalu Ogba nearly gave his side three points but his flick on Nicholas Fernandes shot came off the post.
Finally, Monday gave his side much deserved lead after he slotted home from close when Koffi’s deflected shot fell into his path in the 88th minute.
Churchill Brothers FC doubled the lead in the stoppage time after Israil slammed home Koffi’s quickly taken free-kick take the match beyond the Arrows’ reach.
