PANAJI
Churchill Brothers FC scored a thrilling 3-2 win over Guardian Angel SC in the Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Friday.
Clinton Niasso scored an 83rd-minute match-winner for the Red Machines after Guardian Angel’s Beneston Barretto had cancelled Churchill’s lead scored through a William Niasso own goal. Earlier, Gilbert Olivera had put Guardian Angel ahead only to see their lead being cut by Trijoy Dias in the 26th minute.
Both sides made three changes. Guardian Angel coach Riston Rodrigues started with Arif Pathan, Mevan Dias and Jovial Dias, while for Churchill Brothers, Afdal Varikkodan, Mohammed Shahsad and Bersal Viegas were back in the playing XI.
Guardian Angel were awarded an early penalty when Basanta’s shot was handled in the CBFC area by Kidron Fernandes. Gilbert Oliveira stepped up and coolly converted the spot-kick. Churchill’s Trijoy Dias made a fine run from the halfway mark and got past his marker and shot a firm grounder which was pushed for a corner by a diving Guardian Angel keeper Ram Saroop.
However, CBFC made the maximum out of Yagya Kapoor flag-kick. Trijoy scored with a simple tap from the face of the goal to restore parity as Afdal V squared Yagya’s corner in the area. The teams were tied 1-1 at the break.
Churchill took the lead in the 53rd minute when Trijoy Dias, on receiving a pass on the right flank, entered the box and shot at goal. The keeper blocked his low grounder only to see it deflect off William Niasso into Guardian Angel net, 2-1.
However, the joy was short-lived as Guardian Angel equalised in the 58th minute through Beneston Barretto. On getting the ball outside the box, Basanta tried his luck but his shot was blocked by Bersal. But the ball travelled to Beneston, who drilled his shot into the bottom right corner, giving no chance for the rival keeper.
It was turning to be an end to end the game as Churchill soon had the chance to regain their lead. Velito Cruz threaded a diagonal pass to Trijoy on the right, who tried to place it past the keeper, but his effort narrowly missed the side post.
Guardian Angel wasted a chance to take the lead when Gilbert whipped a perfect delivery in the box from a free-kick which Basanta had to just tap in to score, but he missed to get a touch of the ball.
At the other end, Churchill Brothers took the lead in the 83rd minute. Trijoy, upon entering the box, squared the ball to Afdal, who being tightly marked, played a backheel pass to Clinton Niasso at the far post, who scored with a simple tap-in.
