Churchill holds leader Dempo to a 2-2 draw Margao, Dec 29 (UNI): Spirited Churchill Brothers held NFL Champions Dempo Sports club to a 2-2 draw and split points in the Hutch Goa professional Football League Championship match played at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, here today.
For Dempo, goals were scored by Joaquim Abranches in the 8th and Renty Martin in the 55th minute. For Churchill Brothers, goals came through Jotin Singh in the 13th minute and Sujay Datta in the 35th minute. Dempo, who are topping the table with 29 points from nine wins and two draws from eleven outings, are eight points ahead of second placed Vasco Sports Club and Churchill Brothers both of whom have 21 points. In a closly contested tie, Dempo surged ahead as early as in the 8th minute of the first half through Joaquim Abranches when Renty Martin unleashed a shot which Churchill goalkeeper Vinay Singh tried to parry but the ball deflected towards Ambraches inside the goal who pounced upon the opportunity and shot in to make 1-0. The lead did not last long, as Churchill restored parity in the 13th minute of the first half through Jotin Singh in a similar fashion. Churchill's Sayed Hussain took a shot which Dempo's goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal failed to grab properly and it deflected towards Jotin Singh, who was lurking inside the goal and shot home. 1-1. Inspired by the equaliser, Churchill accelerated the pace of their game and increased the lead in the 35th minute through Sujay Datta,whose curling 25 yarder shot found the net. 2-1. After the change-over, Dempo regrouped themselves well and leveled the score through Renty Martin in the 55th minute. It was a flag kick taken by Jules Alberto Dias and Majek Bolaji's powerful header hit the cross bar and defelected towards Renty who just tapped the ball into the net. 2-2. Both the sides made some desperate attempts for the match winner but without much of luck. Dempo were reduced to ten men during the 86th minute when Majek Bolaji received the second yellow card and then the red card. Dempo had a golden opportunity to score the match winner in the injury minute of the second half but a Renty Martin header crushed into the framework and deflected into play off a free kick pass from Jules Alberto Dias. Churchill Brothers' Sujay Datta received the Timex Man of the Match award for his fine performance. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Goa - 2005 Santosh Trophy Champions | | | | Support Soccer Activities at the grassroots in our villages | | Vacationing in Goa this year-end - Carry and distribute Soccer Balls | --------------------------------------------------------------------------
