ITI catch Churchill cold

For ITI, Onyaka Okafor played in deep defence, with Candid Maring in the centre.

Churchill’s tactics became obvious early on — using the long ball to find the imposing Andriy Malchevky, who, despite his build, showed some deft ballplay to constantly trouble the ITI defence.

As the match progressed, ITI began to dominate, holding the ball for long spells and setting camp inside rival territory. But the midfield and forward-line were guilty of not being imaginative enough; too often the moves were predictable, while the long-rangers were way off target.

ITI did come close; in the 30th minute a corner from the right beat the entire Churchill defence, but Candid and RC Prakash got into a tangle in front of goal and the ball was cleared. A few minutes later striker George Iekeh sent a firm grounder from the right that beat Prakash in the box when the ball went between defender Anthony Mathews’ legs.

On resumption, ITI looked more purposeful and employed the short passes instead of the long balls on which they had depended in the first session. Prakash it was who rocked the Churchill near post, with a booming left-footer within the box.

Sixty-five minutes in, and Prakash again missed with only goal-keeper Edward Ansah to beat. Minutes later Kenneth Raj, who had replaced Candid, swung with the outside of his left and the ball whizzed past the near post.

At the other end, Naushad failed to trap a goal-kick, and Malchevky, recipient of that generous gesture, set up an unmarked Marcus Carvalho just beyond the charge of ITI goal-keeper Balaji. Carvalho made no mistake with his placement.

Naushad was then replaced by C Prakash, and ITI were soon all over Churchill territory. Time was running out for the home team when midfielder Gabriel Emchete hopefully volleyed the ball over his shoulder from the right touch-line. Churchill defender Osumanu Husseini happened to come in its way, and ITI were on level terms.

Churchill countered, and a 20-yard drive from Mykola Shevchnko looked destined to end in the net when Balaji sprang full-length and tipped over for a brilliant save.

With only injury time left, an accurate long ball from the deep by Kenneth Raj dropped at RC Prakash’s feet at the edge of Churchill’s box. Prakash trapped the ball, sent the goal-keeper the wrong way with a feint, and dispatched a left-footer into the goal with disdain.