JANUARY 29: Churchill Brothers beat Mahindras 3-0 in a Philips National Football League (NFL) match here at the Cooperage today. It was the Goan side's third successive victory -- the earlier two coming against Indian Bank and Dempo at the Fatorda Stadium.Churchill capitalised on the very first move they made in the 15th minute. Defender Ratan Singh sent in a vertical pass from the left flank to Zimbabwean striker Samuel Harineki, who dribbled past Mahindras defender Sushanta Mazumdar and unleashed a low, powerful grounder. The shot went straight in the right corner, beating Mahindra custodian Manoj Jaggi.
Mahindras conceded their second goal in the 53th minute when defender George Fernandes, who came in as substitute for injured Mazumdar, put one of the clearance into his own goal.
The third goal was the best of the lot. Substitute Bibian Fernandes came in the 84th minute for Kasif Jamal and received a ball in the striking zone from Mario Soares from the right wing. Keeping his cool, Fernandes got theball through Mahindras defender Onyeka Okafor's legs and placed past advancing custodian Jaggi.
Mahindras suffered a serious blow when their defender Sushanta Mazumdar and medio Satish Minz left the field after suffering serious injuries. Both will miss their team's next match against FC Kochin on Saturday.
Mahindras had chances to equalise in the 33th minute when Churchill defender Emeke Okeke misjudged the flight of a long pass by Mahindras medio Santosh Kashyap. Mahindras striker Herbert Philip latched on to the ball but shot wide with just goalkeeper Chandrakant Naik to beat.
Another opportunity was wasted in the 60th minute when Kashyap took a flag-kick and Churchill's Harineki headed straight to Ramesh Razak who was waiting on the top of the box for a free ball. Razak took a right foot volley but only to slam against the bar. The rebound came to Willy Joy who headed it over the bar.
In the 75th minute, Onyeka took a free-kick from the striking area. His well-placed kick was punched out byChurchill custodian Naik.
Churchill technical director Armando Colaco was pleased with his team's performance. ``Our boys are working hard every day and it's certainly a morale-boosting win. We are sure of finishing among the first four at the end of the league,'' he said.
Churchill will now be playing Air-India where they will miss defender Emeke Okeke after getting booked twice.
Mahindras will find it difficult to play against FC Kochin as eight of their players will not be available. Balgopal Maharjan and Hari Khadka have gone back to Nepal while Jamil Khalid, Siddque Khalid, Nigerian Valentine Ezugo, Sushanta Mazumdar and Satish Minz are all on the injured list.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
