Third string Churchill Bros go down fighting
TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Salgaocar Football Club edged past Churchill Bros 2-1 to finish their campaign with 29 points from 13 rounds and finish top of GFA Pro League football league at Duler Stadium, here, Saturday. Salgaocar led 1-0 at half time.
Churchill remain in fourth position with 19 points with two games in hand.
Salgaocar fielded a strong team which included three foreigners, Nigerian Gabriel Obatola, Brazilian’s Luciano Sobrosa and Josimar Da Silva as they dominated the first session.
Churchill fielded no foreigners and with just two regulars – Sanjay Balmuchu and Raju Yumnam in their roster. It was nearly their third string, comprising mostly youngsters and considering this fact, they put up a good fight against the much experienced Salgaocar.
Salgaocar’s Francis Fernandes came close to scoring in the seventh minute but the India international’s stiff inside the box grounder went inches wide with only Churchill goalkeeper Bilal Khan at his mercy.
The Green Brigade enjoyed the lion’s share of ball possession and did not allow their rivals to settle down. They took the lead in the 34th minute after Josimar set up Obatola inside the box, whose rasping shot deflected off Churchill defender Sanjay Balmuchu and beat goalkeeper Bilal.
At the other end, Churchill strikers Ajay Singh and Jaison Vales hardly threatened the rival goal as the strong Salgaocar defence left them frustrated.
Just before the lemon break, Jaison made a promising run and it looked like he would equalize but his effort missed the mark narrowly.
After resumption, Obatola had a glorious chance to double the lead but his close ranger was parried away by the rival custodian.
In the 57th minute, Salgaocar were down to ten-man after referee Chandrashekar Shirodkar directly red carded Francis for using abusive language.
Having gained the numerical advantage, Churchill equalized eight minutes later, after Richard Costa beautifully headed in past Salgaocar goalkeeper Albino Gomes off a well-measured flag-kick from substitute Amandeep Singh.
Salgaocar had to sacrifice Obatola as he made way for midfielder Rocus Lamare. The move helped them to regroup after Churchill were picking up momentum.
In the 77th minute, Salgaocar’s set piece specialist Randeep Singh curled a free-kick past the rival six-man wall which hit the horizontal and rebounded back to teammate Agustin Fernandes, who headed in past goalkeeper Bilal to make it 2-1.
Churchill tried hard to crawl back into the game but Salgaocar defender’s Luciano, Agustin, Fulgencio Cardozo and Rosario Mendes worked tirelessly in their department.
In the injury time, Churchill were down to ten-man after goalkeeper Bilal came out of the box and brought down Salgaocar substitute striker Marcus Mascarenhas. Defender Satish Singh had then to do duty in the goal.
“We are delighted to win the Goa Pro League. Winning it for the 20th time, makes it even more special”, said RAJ Gomes, general secretary, Salgaocar FC.
