Churchill score season’s first win in five-goal fest
KOZHIKODE: Gokulam Kerala who failed to score a single goal since their win against Indian Arrows last year, slumped to their fifth straight defeat as Churchill Brothers earned their first win of the season.
Kalu Ogba (16’, 74’) scored the only goal in the first half before the match went into an enthralling 45 minutes of football. Daniel Addo (59’) pulled off the equaliser for the hosts before Emannuel (70’) bombed the second one for Bino George’s team. Their joy was cut short by Kalu Ogba again before Koffi Mechac (90’+2’) calmly converted the penalty to steal all three points from Gokulam grasp.
Before both the teams started to pass the ball meticulously, the Nigerian midfielder lobbed the goal from 30-yards out to send the home dugout i n a shock. Gokulam defender’s Arjun Jay attempt to clear the ball landed the ball at Kalu’s feet who didn’t miss the opportunity to score .
Daniel Addo pulled off a header in the 59th minute to draw a parity. The hosts took the control of the game following the goal and they had to wait for only 10 minutes to take the lead, first in a month’s time. Alajmi took a freekick which was punched away by Churchill goalkeeper Kithan but from the rebound Emmanuel Chigozie scored.
After conceding two goals Churchill had to quickly regather and the go-to person Kalu Ogba took only four minutes to cancel the lead. As the match rolled into the added minutes, Provat Lakra was penalised for bringing Koffi Mechac down inside the box and Gokulam goalie Bilal Khan had no answer to Koffi’s penalty.
ARROWS LOOKING TO AVENGE DEFEAT
MARGAO: Indian Arrows would be looking to avenge their defeat in the reverse fixture as they come up against NEROCA. The margin of victory was slender as Neroca won 2-1 but the game in Goa could be a different affair. The Luis Norton de Matos led side have once again made Goa their home as they face Neroca who have exceeded all expectations by sitting in third place.
AIZAWL WELCOME BACK FAMILIAR FACES
AIZAWL: It’ll be an emotional affair on Tuesday as Aizawl host East Bengal. It will be tipped as the homecoming of Lalramchullova, Brandon Vanlalremdika, Laldanmawia and Mahmoud Al-amna who were an integral part of Aizawl’s title-winning campaign last year along with the coach Khalid Jamil before they joined East Bengal. The I-league title has always eluded the visitors and if they are to be on their hunt they will need nothing but 3 points when they lock horns against the current champions.