IMPHAL
Churchill Brothers defeated NEROCA 1-0 in an ill-tempered clash to wind up their I-League campaign at the Khuman Lampak Stadium here on Saturday.
Momo Cisse’s 22nd-minute goal from the spot made the difference. There was enough drama involved in the penalty, too. NEROCA goalkeeper Soram Porei, who had a great match, saved Cisse’s penalty kick diving to his left but the assistant referee ruled he had left his line before he should have. So it had to be retaken and Cisse made no mistake the second time round.
The match heated up in the second half as frustration grew among both ranks and the players got physical. It culminated in ugly scenes after the game was over. Nonganba Singh and David Simbo of NEROCA, and Sharif Mukhammad and Ponif Vaz of Churchill Brothers were shown the red card for a scuffle after the final whistle.
Churchill finished with in sixth place with 33 points (9 wins, 6 draws, 7 losses). The Goans will now play Real Kashmir in Super Cup qualifier on April 6.
