Unimpressive Churchill down Salgaocar
Churchill…3 Salgaocar…1
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
MARGAO, MAY 2
A brace by Nigerian striker Felix Chimaokwu powered defending champions Musli Power Churchill Brothers to a 3-1 win over Salgaocar Sports Club in ONGC 3rd I-league match at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Sunday. They led 1-0 at the breather.
Churchill now have 35 points from 21 matches. Dempo 47 from 23 matches and Mahindra 38 from 23 matches. Salgaocar have 24 from 23 matches and are above bottom placed Sporting with 21 points from 23 matches.
If Salgaocar lost, blame it on poor finishing by forwards Ekene Ikenwa and midfielder Francis Fernandes. On many occasions they had man-of-the match, Churchill goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya at their mercy but they lacked the finishing touch once in the danger zone.
Salgaocar’s Anthony Barbosa, Cajetan Fernandes and Rocus Lamare worked effectively in the midfield to feed Ekene and Bevan D’Mello who kept the rival defence on their toes.
Churchill Brothers were a pale shadow of themselves as they were unable to strike a rhythm. Salgaocar defenders Rouhollah Samienia provided little room for Odafe Okolie to break free especially in the first half.
Salgoacar right half Francis Fernandes wasted a gilt edged chance in the very 2nd minute when he was fed by Ekene but the former’s feeble push went to Arindam.
At the other end, the Salgaocar citadel survived a scare when Odafa broke free from a rival but his right footer was blocked by Salgaocar goalkeeper Amit Nandy.
Bevan nearly opened the scoring in the 12th minute but his right footer was taken care by Arindam with great difficulty.
Churchill finally broke the deadlock in the 29th minute through a penalty. Following midfielder Ogba Kalu’s cross, Odafa worked towards the rival penalty box with Salgaocar’s captain Luciano Sabrosa in hot pursuit. However, the ball hit Sabrosa’s hand which drew the attention of assistant referee Shaji Kurian from Kerala. Referee Pratap Singh awarded the penalty which left the Salgaocar bench angry. Felix made no mistake slotting past goalkeeper Amit. Sabrosa was cautioned.
Salgaocar raised their game and earned a free kick just outside the box. Rouhollah’s free kick beat Arindam but it deflected off the crossbar in the 43rd minute.
Salgaocar nearly found the equaliser at the stroke of lemon break but Bevan’s smart header was fisted away by Arindan. The ball travelled to Ekene, who made a mess of it.
Churchill put up a better display after the interval and Francis Fernandes blew away an easy chance shooting over from close.
Churchill doubled the lead through another penalty in the 53rd minute. Following midfielder Kalu’s cross inside the box, Luciano brought down Odafa, who himself
took the resultant spot kick to send the rival goalkeeper on the wrong way.
Churchill made sure of the victory when striker Felix completed his brace in the 59th minute.
Churchill could have scored yet again but Odafa and Felix spurned chances.
Salgaocar also had chances to reduce the margin but substitutes Lester Fernandez and Manjit Singh bungled.
Churchill’s coach Carlos Roberto Pereira Da Silva was elated after the victory. “These are very valuable points,” he added.
Salgaocar’s coach Karim Bencherifa said his team had failed to convert their chances.
