Plaza’s brace helps Churchill outwit Dynamos

BHUBANESWAR: Churchill Brothers Football Club of Goa, redeemed their season somewhat, with a tactical odd goal in three victory over Delhi Dynamos in the first match of the Hero Super Cup, India's premiere football Cup competition, which got underway in Bhubaneswar, Odhisa on Thursday. Riding on a brace from Trinidadian Willis Deon Plaza, Churchill now enter the main draw of the tournament scheduled to begin on March 31 and will face Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan in the round of 16. The Goan side overcame a cautious start to get over the line in extra-time, after Kalu Uche had given the Delhi side a fifth minute lead.

At the Kalinga Stadium, Churchill, who placed ninth in the Hero I-league and face relegation, upset the six match unbeaten run of the Indian Super League outfit who had rallied at the end of the league to finish in eighth position.

The ‘Red Machines' played in Blue while the Lions were the home side today with their White jersey's. Miguel Angel Portugal, the Portuguese coach of the Delhi side, fielded a 4-5-1 formation with Nigerian talisman and captain, the 35-year old Kalu Uche the lone targetman in attack. Alfredo fernandez, coach of the Goan outfit chose to go with a more traditional 4-4-2 formation with Gambian Dawda Cessay and Trinidadian Willis Deon Plaza upfront.

The ISL side started strong, controlling the proceedings from the midfield through Claudio Mirabaje.