TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
Claude on goal rampage, Churchill Bros go packing
After a poor start to I-League, Churchill Bros had something to cheer about as they took on to the field undefeated in the Goa Pro League. However, Salgaocar displayed their superiority and stretched their rival’s fragile defence according to their own will. The last time the sides met in round six, it resulted to a goalless draw but French striker Claude was in to form, scoring a blistering first half hat-trick and adding another in the second session. Thangjam Singh converted a late penalty in the dying minutes to reduce the margin for Churchill.
Churchill suffered their first defeat in the league and remain on 23 points in the second spot, surrendering their top spot to Sporting Clube de Goa, who have 25 points. Salgalocar climb up to the fourth position with 18 points.
Claude opened the floodgates in the sixth minute when he picked up a beautiful long ball from left-back Surjit Singh, got the better of Churchill’s Naveen Sudhakaran and then rounded off Churchill keeper Lalit Thapa to tap in the empty goal.
Then onwards, there was no looking back for The Green Brigade as they tormented the rival defence. A miscommunication between Churchill center-back Naveen and Lalit led to the second goal in the 17th minute as Claude capitalized to make it 2-0.
Minutes later, Churchill coach Mariano Dias replaced Lalit with Presley Mascarenhas under the crossbar but it did not make any difference to Claude, who registered his hat-trick before the break. William Colaco lost the ball rather easily in the Churchill defence and Claude latched on to the loose ball, muscling past Naveen yet again and finished with a rasping right-footer past goalkeeper Presley.
Churchill were a subdued lot as their midfield and strikers lacked creativity and it continued after resumption. At the other end, Salgaocar dictated terms and used the wings effectively. Substitute Brian Mascarenhas moved swiftly on the left flank and sent in a dangerous cross to Milagres Gonsalves, who wore the armband with pride.
Milagres leaped high and headed in the path of Claude, who positioned himself perfectly for his fourth of the evening, easily tapping in from hand-shaking distance.
In the dying minutes, Churchill were awarded a penalty by referee Maria Rebello after Jaison Vales was brought down by Salgaocar’s Jeevan Nalge in the danger zone. Substitute Thangjam stepped up and slotted past Salgaocar custodian Felix D’Souza.
Claude Gnakpa was adjudged man-of-the-match and also picked up the goal of the day award. Tolchan Sutar was declared fan of the day and received the match ball signed by Claude.
