ONGC hold Churchill Bros

KOLHAPUR, DEC 30
ONGC defence did a brilliant job as they hold Goan giants Churchill Brothers to a 1-1 draw in the Round VI encounter of the I-league played at Sahu Maharaj ground, Kolhapur, on Thursday.
ONGC took an attacking approach and put pressure on their opponent right from the outset and didn’t let them dominate. Also, Churchill Brothers strikers especially their Nigerian marksman Odafe Onyeka Okolie was under sever check by the ONGC heart of defence.
It was ONGC who looked in command and former Air India striker N D Opara struck in the 20th minute as he scored off a Robin Gurung pass from the right flank. After taking lead ONGC maintained their fine run and created three more chances through N D Opara, Peter Odafe and Robin Gurung.
Though just before the lemon break Churchill’s danger man Odafe equalised in the injury time with his free kick finding the back of the net to end the first half proceedings on level terms. 
After resumption, though Churchill Brothers tried their best to surge ahead, but the ONGC defence stood firm and solid. Peter Odafe and Robin Gurung though didn’t get a chance to book their name in the scoresheet but did well in the defence. It was real tussle on in the second despite both the teams failed to add any more goal to the scoreline.
In the second half, Churchill did create some chances of which it was their Nigerian striker Odafe Okolie, who ran through alone to try and score but Robin Gurung did his job well. ONGC’s Nigerian defender Peter Odafe was later adjudged the Man-of-the-Match.
ONGC Manager B K Bhowmick said that though the team has played well so far, a win has been elusive of them. He also mentioned that his team is without some key players and midfielder L Lalmuanpuia’s absence was felt by the team today.
“This is the first time that the team is playing in the I-league and we have played well, but then I don’t know what’s lacking that we are not able to score three points which is very crucial for us at this juncture. We have drawn against good teams like Pune FC, Churchill Brothers today and next we play I-league winners Dempo Sports Club. I hope that we are able to register a win soon,” added Bhowmick.