Churchill rally to hold Sporting club to 1-1 draw

Margao, Mar 28 (UNI) Churchill brothers came from behind to hold Sporting Club de Goa 1-1 in their ONGC National Football league championship match played here today.

Dudu Omaghbhemi scored for Sporting in the 39th minute while Odafe Okolie equalised for Churchill brothers in the 56th minute.

With this drawn match Sporting came on a par with Air India Mumbai with 13 points from 10 outings while Churchill Brothers incresed their points tally to 12 points from an equal number of outings.

It was a tale of missed chances for both the teams in the first half, in which Churchill had an edge. Sporting came with a first good move as early as in the 3rd minute. The move was initiated by Dudu Omagbhemi who passed on to Harmanjot Khabra. The latter's shot missed the mark narrowly.

Churchill came near scoring in the 29th minute when Odafe Okolie sent a pass to Bungo Singh, who too missed an easy chance.

Churchill almost had the lead in the 37th minute but Naoba Singh's full-blooded shot hit on the hands of the rival goalkeeper Luis Barreto and rebound into the play.

Sporting surged ahead in the 39th minute through penalty goal, when Refree P K Bose awarded a penalty for Sporting Club de Goa when Dudu was brought down by Churchill's Robert Lalthlamvana in the danger zone. Dudu himself converted the spot kick correctly and and at half time, Sporting were leading by 1-0.

Stung by a goal, Churchill regrouped themselves well in the second half and restored the parity in the 56th minute through Odafe Okolie whose powerpcked shot found the net.

After both the teams were tied with 1-1 draw, both made some desperate attempts for the match winner. Churchill had better share of exchanges and came with some splendid opportunites. In the 77th Minutes Sporting goalkeeper Luis Barreto beatifully blocked a shot by Odafa Okolie.

Churchill's defender Nicholas Muyoti was adjudged the man of the match for his good performance.

UNI