Churchill escape with a draw against HAL

Bangalore, Feb 22 (UNI) A superb goal by Robert Lalthlamvana in the 70th minute helped Churchill Brothers force a 1-1 draw against Hindustan Aeroneutics Sports Club (HASC) in the sixth round of the National Football league for ONGC Cup here today.

With luck favouring them, the local super league champions opened the account in the very first minute through a self goal by striker Roque Barreto. The striker let the ball go into his own net while trying to thwart HASC Captain Xavier Vijay Kumar.

HAL led 1-0 at breather.

The visitors fought hard to score an equaliser as Airmen displayed good defending skills and also made quick attacks with Xavier, Kuttymani and C Prakash threatening the Churchill citadel a number of times. HASC men had the better of exchanges in the first half.

The change over altered the pattern of the game with the visitors going on attack mode. Taking full advantage of free kick awarded, an agile Robert scored by netting the ball that rebounded off the HASC wall. The free kick was awarded by Referee P Bhasker of Tamil Nadu as Xavier and Kuttimani tripped Nigerian striker Odafe Onyeka Okolie.

Churchill had to blame themselves for not scoring the equaliser in the first half itself as the young bunch failed miserably in their finish. Especially Okolie missed a couple of sitters due to his eratic strikes that flew all over. Bringing in two substitutes in Drupesh Dessai and Savio Monteiro in the second half could not help the Goans win.

HAL custodian Balaji, who bagged 'Best Player' award showed superb skill in thwarting attempts by visitors. Especially in the 80th minute when Nigerian striker Nicholas Muyoti sent a sizzler off a Roque's pass.

With this draw, HAL took its tally to six from as many matches with one win and three draw, while Churchill Brothers have seven points from one win and four draws.

UNI