the goan I network
PANAJI
Churchill Brothers seem to be unlucky when it comes to getting deserving penalties as was the case today during their I-League match against Aizawl FC at Vasco. The Red Machines coach Alfred Fernandes highlighted the official’s error in the post-match press conference.
“Two penalties, clear penalties... the match would have been put to bed before the sending off. Against us, referees award silly penalties, but when we have clear-cut penalty situations, we are at the receiving end. Even some of the opponent players admitted they were clear penalties (today). But at the end of the day, three points are very vital,” Fernandes told the media.
The Churchill coach praised the players for their superlative effort that has seen the Varca-based club beat title contenders Minerva Punjab FC and holders Aizawl FC in back-to-back matches within a gap of three days. “The team is fighting fit. Players are putting in a lot of hard work, credit to them for maintaining their fitness. We put in our efforts but at the end of the day, players are delivering for us,” he said.
Looking forward to their first game on the road since January 15, Fernandes hailed the Indian Arrows boys as ‘talented’.
“You cannot take them for granted. We have seen the way they fought against us (here)...they are very experienced having played at the highest level in the World Cup (under-17). They will come very hard at us. They are a talented bunch of players coming up very nicely and for me, it is very important and very tough match,” said Fernandes, whose side will take on Luis Norton de Matos’ unit in New Delhi on February 10 at 5.30 pm.
Hero of the match, captain Osagie Monday expressed satisfaction at the level of play by his team.
“The team is now working okay, defensively we are doing our best. We have seen now the results and everybody is fighting. Nobody wants to lose their position,” said the Nigerian centre-back.
The 28-year-old also showered praises on coach Fernandes and other support staff. “I believe the coaches are doing their best. I am happy for the coach (Alfred Fernandes) in charge of the team. He is happy with the players and we the foreigners and others use our heart, to work for him. He is the best, he is taking care of us,”
he said.
Aizawl FC coach Paulo Menezes seemed to accept the defeat without much to say as he was missing his key players including defender Kareem Omolaja in particular.
“We tried to draw but we failed to find a way to put the ball into their nets. Unfortunately in the last 10-15 minutes with one player less (C Lalrosanga sent off in 81st minute), it was difficult. However, we tried to score and on three or four situations, we reached their penalty box, but did not get the equaliser,” explained the Portuguese
coach.
