Air India stun E Bengal; Churchill breeze through

Substitutes Uttam Singh, who came off the bench along with Samson Singh early in the second half, combined forces and effected a deep throw-in from the right into the box for stopper back AK Martins to head the ball to Samson, who booted home the low volley just inside the left post past East Bengal goalkeeper Naseem Akhtar.

Kuruvilla ensured things go as per the coach’s instructions as he negated the East Bengal fowards with a fine display in deep defence.

“The lanky Boniface Ambani (East Bengal striker) was specially threatening but I was determined. And I’m glad I could do what the coach asked me to do,” said an elated Kuruvilla.

With three points under his belt, coach Bimal Ghosh’s joy knew no bounds. “It’s a great start and it has given us lots of confidence for the rest of the League,” said Ghosh.

Explaining why Samson Singh was brought so late Ghosh said: “Alex Ambrose was doing well in the first half, so we thought to try Samson in the second. I knew he can do it.”

Skipper Paresh Shivalkar also impressed with his skills in the mid-field and flanks. “It’s a team effort, I’m glad we won and also happy with the way I played and contributed to the team’s cause.”

In the other NFL match played at Duler near Goa, Odafa Okonji scored a brace to guide Churchill Brothers to a 2-0 win over Sporting Clube de Goa in their opening NFL encounter adds PTI.

Churchill took lead at the half hour mark when Genius Zenith from the right relayed the ball to Nigerian George Ekeh whose brilliant shot was connected by his compatriot Okonji.

After the change of ends, Ekeh and Okanji, who gave a torrid time to Sporting’s defence, increased the lead in the 61st minute with the latter again finding the net when he beat defender Mathew to slot the ball home off a pass by Ekeh.