Team Herald
MAPUSA: Churchill Brothers Sports Club suffered second straight defeat as they lost to Goan Football Club by a narrow 1-0 margin in the Goa Professional League match, organised by Goa Football Association, played under floodlights at Duler Stadium, here on Friday.
Krishna Pandit’s early goal made the difference in the match.
Churchill coach Alfred Fernandes made six changes to his side following a narrow defeat against Calangute Association in the last match as Banpynkhrawnam N, Alber Gonsalves, Yendrenbam Meitei, Janak Kudmal, Sam Palha and Nigerian striker Francis Onayema made it to the cut, while Goan coach Clifford Miranda also made four changes bringing back Liston Colaco, Yasir Mohammed, Franzil Negredo and Lalawmpuia in the line-up after they drew against Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim in the previous outing.
The junior Gaurs had a dream start against the I-League outfits as the opened their tally in just four minute when Churchill keeper Ricardo Cardozo failed to clear Kingslee Fernandes’ low cross from inside the box which was easily tapped in by unmarked Krishna Pandit to take Goan into the lead.
A few minutes later, Churchill had a chance to level the terms when Yendrenbam curled the ball in the box from a free-kick but his teammate Alber missed a header from close.
At the other end, Kingslee once again made a super run in the box dribbled past three defenders but his powerful shot was blocked by Churchill keeper Ricardo.
In the closing stage of the first session, keeper Ricardo once again rescued his side when he brilliantly blocked Lalawmpuia’s powerful left-footer from the edge of the 6-yard box.
On crossing over, Goan once again came close to scoring when Lalawmpuia made a darting run dribbling past two opponents to enter the box but his strike hit Churchill defender and went out for a corner.
Ten minutes later, Lalawmpuia was once again in action when his goal-bound strike from a 25-yard free-kick was nicely fisted over the crossbar by the Churchill keeper.
Churchill forwards Trinidadian Willis Plaza and Nigerian Francis tried every possible move in the last quarter of the match but the Goan defenders Negredo, Leander D’Cunha, Saviour Gama and Brian Faria gave no space to both the foreigners with tight marking.
