NIRAJ PRABHU
VASCO
What happens when a team with an attacking DNA locks horns with an outfit with defensive solidity? More often than not, they cancel each other out and the result is a draw.
The trend continues and Churchill Brothers’ five-match winning streak in the I-League came to an end following their 1-1 draw with Real Kashmir FC on Thursday. Red Machines coach Petre Gigiu, who had seen his boys enjoy a perfect New Year at home with four consecutive victories until running into David Robertson’s Snow Leopards, hailed the match as “good for football in India”.
“It was a good game... (particularly) for football in India. My players did not play bad, it was a mistake (in conceding the goal). But what is very important, is that the fight (for the title) is not finished (yet). Still five games to play and we have a chance as games outside (Goa) with Shillong Lajong and Aizawl, we can win. It’s true that Real Kashmir team is very strong, and I cannot reproach my players because they tried their best. See, Real Kashmir got six points against Chennai City, and just two against us,” said Romanian coach Gigiu at the post-match press conference.
The 65-year-old tactician, however, expressed concern that no other player is delivering goals for the Red Machines. “They work for the results, but you see only Willis Plaza (16 goals) scores and nobody has scored recently. But this is life and we ensured that fight is not finished as we are now on 29 points and leaders Chennai City on 30. Maybe we can (stay) near till the last game (here) with Chennai City (March 1)... sure, I am not happy but I cannot argue with my players, nevertheless, it’s better that (at least) Plaza scores,” explained Gigiu, who however, did not mention any reservations about refereeing decisions this time out as referee Santhosh Kumar seemed in control.
Hero-of-the match for third time in a row, Plaza admitted that it was one of the most physical battles in the I-League he has faced. “I scored one but I am not happy as I wanted to score more,’” said the Trinidadian forward citing the importance of what would have been a crucial victory taking Churchill to the top of the table and keeping their title-fate in their own hands.
On the other hand, Real Kashmir coach Robertson was happy with a point.”We always knew that it was going to be a tough game. We probably did not play particularly great, but we created a few chances. We knew Churchill in the last 10-15 minutes of each half, tend to get a strike and we needed to hang on a bit in the end. (However), if somebody says would you take a point from the game, it is a good one to have,” said the former Scotland international.
