KANNUR, MARCH 13
Churchill Brothers edged past Viva Kerala 1-0, thanks to a second half strike from the Liberian forward Jerry Boima Karpeh in a Round 19 match of I-League at Jawahar Municipal Stadium, here on Sunday.
Churchill began with former Viva Kerala captain M P Sakeer in the midfield partnering Charan Rai, Lenny Rodriguez and Israel Gurung. Coach Alfred Fernandez decided to rest Indian international midfielder Steven Dias as he started from the bench. Odafe Onyeka Okolie and Jerry Boima Karpeh made the striking department
Viva Kerala made two changes from the team that defeated HAL. Sajesh P came in for Chinta Chandrasekhar while Vineeth CK was picked instead of Jimshad U. Forward Sabeeth CS, who was called to the senior National team during the weekend, began the match on the substitutes’ bench. Former Churchill man, Felix Chimaokwu and P K Anil Kumar featured in the attack.
Churchill began to threaten the home side’s defense with long balls and quick passing. Sakeer and Jerry Boima were impressive in the early stages.
At the half hour mark, the game was interrupted following an injury to Churchill custodian Lalit Thapa. The goalkeeper who fell on the ground after trying to collect a cross from Viva Kerala’s Felix looked to have hurt his foot and needed medics’ attention. Thapa was unable to continue and was replaced by Vinay Singh.
Churchill made a surprise substitution just before half time as I-League’s top goal scorer Odafe Okolie made way for New Zealander Kayne Vincent.
Before the second half kicked off, Churchill made their final substitution taking off V Raju Mangang who was troubled by a blow to his head from the first half and replacing him with Robert Lalthlamuna.
The one and only goal of the match came in the 77th minute. The move was started and finished off in style by Boima Karpeh as he dazzled past the Viva Kerala defenders and chipped the ball over advancing keeper Sharath K into the goal. A well deserved goal for the former Perth Glory striker.
After they were a goal down, Viva Kerala produced their best display as Pradeep, Ummer Faroque, Anil Kumar and Sabeeth CS combined to find the equaliser.
