PANAJI
Churchill Brothers FC and Calangute Association showcased their intent with dominant performances, leaving their opponents in no doubt about their ambitions in the ongoing GPL season. Churchill Brothers delivered a 7-0 masterclass against Bidesh XI SC, while Calangute Association overcame Chapora Yuvak Sangh in a dramatic 2-0 encounter.
The Red Machines of Churchill Brothers were ruthless from the first whistle in their clash with Bidesh XI SC. Anil Gaonkar opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Bidesh goalkeeper Cydon D’Souza failed to hold a routine ball, allowing Gaonkar to slot home. Four minutes later, Harichandra Sinari produced a stunning solo effort, dribbling past multiple defenders before finishing with precision to make it 2-0. Eight minutes before halftime, Stendly Fernandes delivered a perfect pass for Gaonkar to extend the lead to three.
After the interval, Churchill’s dominance continued. Richard Costa’s clever pass found Gaonkar once more, and the striker calmly rolled the ball into the net for his hat-trick. The fifth goal came from a corner, with Fernandes providing the assist and Clive Miranda finishing clinically. Gaonkar struck again in the 81st minute to make it four, and deep into stoppage time, Anuj Kuttikar added a seventh to complete a comprehensive 7-0 victory. Gaonkar’s four-goal haul earned him plaudits, but the performance was a collective display, with Fernandes orchestrating attacks and creating multiple scoring opportunities.
In a more tense contest, Calangute Association faced Chapora Yuvak Sangh in a tightly fought encounter. The first half was a battle of attrition, with both sides probing cautiously but failing to break the deadlock. Chapora’s defence, organised and disciplined, denied Calangute clear openings, while goalkeeper Tanesh Kankonkar remained largely untroubled. Calangute pressed with intent but found every attack thwarted until the second half, when the match shifted dramatically.
The turning point arrived in the 64th minute. Chapora earned a penalty after a challenge in the box, and Veron Pereira stepped up. However, Calangute goalkeeper Aditya Sharma produced a spectacular save, diving low to claw the ball away and deny Chapora a crucial lead. Energised by the moment, Calangute immediately countered. Suraj Kumar found space and calmly slotted the ball home, giving his team the breakthrough they had sought.
Chapora tried to respond, but Calangute remained disciplined at the back and continued to exploit counterattacking opportunities. On 85 minutes, Vishesh Nasnodkar’s composed pass found Arun Naik, who finished with precision to seal a 2-0 win. Sharma’s heroics between the sticks and the clinical finishing of Calangute’s forwards highlighted the team’s resilience and ability to capitalise on key moments.
