Coca-Cola Churchill Brothers overcame a stiff second half challenge to down Hayward 2000 Sporting Clube 3-1 in an exciting National Football League match, at the Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa, on Friday.
Churchill, who led 1-0 at half-time, scored through Riston Rodrigues (18th minute), Osumanu Husseini (47th) and Tikken Singh (70th), while Dudu Omagbemi, kept on a tight leash by defender Osu Manu, pulled one back for Sporting.
Haywards Sporting, who won against JCT and drew against Vasco, have four points from three matches while Churchill have seven points from two wins and a draw.
After initial probing, Churchill drew first blood when Tikken Singh's shot from the left, following a flag-kick, was deflected by rival defender and fell on the path of Riston Rodrigues, who unleashed a left-footer from the top of the box. The ball deflected off the right post before finding the net.
Haywrds Sporting, who were more forceful after conceding the goal, built constructive moves but were denied success by goalkeeper Mark Mascarenhas, who brought off a few good saves.
Once Mascarenhas denied them a certain goal when he fisted a cross from Venancio from the left with two rivals players well poised to score.
Haywards Sporting's Jerose Oliveira had a golden opportunity to restore parity when he was left free inside the box, but he took a long time in taking the shot, which allowed the defenders to clear the ball.
After the change of ends, Churchill increased the lead with defender Osumanu curled a 40-yard free-kick which beat goalkeeper Felix all ends up. The ball landed in the corner of the right post.
Unruffled by the setback, Haywards Sporting made desperate moves and camped in the rival area. They reduced the margin when a high cross from the right by Jerose Oliveira was headed home Dudu.
Thereafter, they made several attempts at Churhcill's goal but their efforts were nipped in the bud by the rival defence and 'keeper Mascarenhas.
Coming off with counter moves, Churchill then sealed the fate of Haywards Sporting when John put Tikken Singh through. Singh, after taking few strides, dispatched the ball into the net to the left of keeper Felix.
Churchill's Yakubu Yusif was tightly marked. Twice he broke to free from his marker but failed to guide the ball into the goal with only the keeper at his mercy.
© 2024 Rediff.com -