Churchill slow off the blocks

Although the final scoreline 4-2 suggested a comfortable victory for Churchill Brothers in their Durand Cup opener.

Although the final scoreline 4-2 suggested a comfortable victory for Churchill Brothers in their Durand Cup opener,it was anything but that. The defending champions survived an inspired show by MEG,before their skipper Odafa Okolie slotted home from the spot in the 82nd minute to put the match beyond the Bangalore teams reach.

But,reflecting on the result,MEG would realise it was the initial 10 minutes of play that proved to be the difference between the two sides. The Goans galloped out of the blocks and took the lead in the second minute when Odafa headed a neatly taken corner kick by Israil Gurung at the back of the net.

Churchill dominated the possession,frustrating MEGs defence who,desperate to get the ball back,got themselves in more trouble. In the 10th minute,Odafa looked threatening again,but the striker was brought down 10 yards outside the box. The resultant free kick by Zakeer MP was headed in by Bineesh Balan as Churchill doubled their lead against the Bangalorean side.

The second goal shook MEG out of slumber. They earned their first corner in the 13th minute after Lokeshwar Singhs tap off a cross by Jiten Mei was deflected by Churchill goalkeeper Lalit Thapa. Lokeshwar made amends the second time,snatching the ball in a goalmouth melee following the corner kick and scoring the teams first goal.

But Churchill restored the two-goal cushion soon,with a little help from MEG goalkeeper Sujith V. Churchill defender Hardeep,rather optimistically,took an aim at the rival goal from the half-way mark. In what is a goalies worst nightmare,Sujith saw the ball slipping out of his fingers and over the goal-line.

MEG soon recovered from the shock,though,with Lokeshwar bringing up his and the teams second goal in the 26th minute. Gurangi Lals cross from the right found Lokeshwar inside the box but he aimed straight at the goalkeeper. Thapa,however,failed to cleanly collect the ball and Jitens pass was calmly tapped in by Lokeshwar to make it 3-2.

In the second half,MEG pressed harder. The ball possession increased and they seemed the dominant side in the midfield just that they couldnt convert it into a goal. Churchill,on the other hand, secured a penalty when the MEG goalie was sent off for bringing down Ernest Emako inside the box. Odafa clinically converted it to ensure his team get a perfect start.

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On Thursday,Sporting Club de Goa are scheduled to play Garhwal Heroes while Air India take on Salgaocar SC.

Todays matches:

Sporting Clube de Goa vs Garhwal Heroes: 1 pm

Salgaocar FC vs Air India,3 pm