Odafa wins it for Churchill
Churchill…1 Lajong…0
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
MARGAO, APRIL 11
Defending champions Musli Power Churchill Brothers moved up to the third place in the standings with a solitary goal win against Shillong Lajong Football Club 1-0 in a round 20 match of ONGC I-League, at Nehru stadium, Margao, here on Sunday.
Nigerian striker Odafa Okolie’s lone goal in the first session paved the way to register their victory and collected full three points. Lajong spurned umpteen scoring chances and ended on a losing note.
Lajong never looked like a team that would go down. Their passing was immaculate and dominated a major part in the opening session. Lajong’s Daniel Bidemi created panic in the Churchill ranks through his solo efforts.
Churchill created the first move in the 6th minute when Odafa broke free from the rival shackles and essayed a fine through pass to Felix Chimaokwu inside the rival box whose attempt was thwarted by Aibor Khonglee.
Immediately, Lagong nearly broke the deadlock but striker James Gbille was the worst culprit as he shot wide.
Churchill came close to forging ahead from a scramble in front of the rival goal but Daniel Bidemi managed to clear the ball away and the lurking Gourmangi Singh’s try hit the crossbar much to the disappointment of Churchill supporters.
Later, Lajong’s Daniel dribbled past a couple of rival defenders and was about to take a crack at the rival goal but Churchill defender Rowilson Rodrigues thwarted him from scoring. Kelechi Okoye’s rasping shot was well blocked by Churchill goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya with great difficulty.
Man-of-the match Felix Chimaokwu’s cross caught the rival defence on the wrong foot across the rival goal and striker Odafe made no mistake in punting the ball into the far corner of the net in the 41st minute.
Stung by the upset, Lajong fought back but Daniel shot wide from handshaking distance off an Ailad Kynta pass.
In the second session, Lajong upped the tempo and almost found the equaliser in the 67th minute through the boots of Daniel off a flag kick by Boithnag Haokip but the goal was disallowed by referee S Suresh from Tamil Nadu at the instance of assistant referee Ramesh Subramanian from WIFA.
A couple of minutes later, Anil Gurung bungled after receiving a James Gbillee pass from the right.
Churchill coach Carlos Roberto Pereira da Silva was elated after the match.
He said, “The three points earned from this win is very valuable to us and I am totally satisfied with my boys. They gave a good account of themselves.”
Lajong coach Stanley Rozario was very disappointed and expressed surprise about Daniel Bidemi’s goal being disallowed.
He said, “The goal which was barred certainly did not look off side. I am very disappointed at the outcome.”
