Churchill Bros halt Sporting’s record unbeaten run in Pro-League

| APRIL 26, 2018, 07:21 PM IST
Churchill Bros halt Sporting’s record unbeaten run in Pro-League

the goan I network

DULER

Churchill Brothers stopped Sporting Clube de Goa’s record unbeaten run in the champions’ last match of GFA’s Professional League with a 2-1 victory at Duler Stadium, here on Wednesday.

It was Trinidadian forward Willis Plaza who drew the first blood for Churchill. Sporting midfielder Marcus Mascarenhas scored from the penalty spot. Israil Gurung also converted his penalty kick to give all three points to the Red Machines. Even after a win, Churchill continue to struggle in the bottom half of the table with just 23 points from 20 matches, whereas, Sporting finish their engagements, in the first position with 55 points.

Sporting, who had already secured Pro-League title after their 1-0 over Dempo SC in the last match, saw coach Mateus Costa give chance to Joseph Pereira in the Starting XI, whereas Churchill coach Alfred Fernandes made four changes to his side following their 3-3 draw in the last match against Dempo SC; by fielding goalkeeper Ricardo Cardozo, Banpynkhrawnam N, Janak Kudmal and Sam Seby Palha. The first quarter of the match was mostly restricted to midfield, where finally in the 19th minute Churchill’s defender Israil Gurung found Trinidadian striker Willis Plaza, in an attacking move; but Sporting goalkeeper came off his line to clear the danger.

In the 25th minute, the Red Machine stunned the league champions when a floater pass from Valerio Rodrigues was brilliantly controlled by Plaza, who then shot past Sporting keeper Melroy Fernandes from the top of the box, to make it 1-0.

At the other end, Sporting had an opportunity to level the terms in the 33rd minute when Glan Martins set up Nigerian forward Philip Odogwu, but Churchill goalkeeper Ricardo advanced and cleared the ball to safety. 

Another chance for Sporting went in vain in the 44th minute when Marcus Mascarenhas sent a diagonal pass to Philip in the box, but the forward shot wide from close. Sporting finally scored from the penalty spot in the 1st minute of the added time when Churchill goalkeeper Ricardo brought down Alesh Sawant in the box to give away the penalty-kick. Marcus kept his cool and scored from a retake to put Churchill ahead.

At the other end in the very next minute, Churchill restored their lead just a few moments before the half-time when Israil put the ball into the nets from the spot kick, after Sporting’s Nigerian defender Sodiq Ibrahim brought down Plaza (2-1).

Sporting had the best chance to equalise in the very 2nd minute of the second session when Alesh sent a perfect cross to Marcus with a pin-point cross, but the latter missed the target by a whisker. Churchill should have inflated their lead in the 51st minute when their substitute striker Uttam Rai made a darting run from his own half but Sporting keeper Melroy thwarted him in one-on-one situation.

At the hour mark, Churchill midfielder Valerio saw his powerful volley hit the side post. The last 30 minutes of the match, ball travelled from one end to another, but the strikers failed to score.

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