MARGAO
Churchill Brothers and Sesa Football Academy were involved in a 2-2 draw in the AIFF Under-18 Youth League at SAG ground, Utorda, on Tuesday.
Both teams displayed an attacking brand of football, as the match progressed. Sesa sounded the warning in the early moments of the game when Laishram Meithi unleashed a snapshot, which was however blocked by rival goalkeeper Piyush Rathod.
At the other end, Churchill Bros did not lag behind when medio Prathamesh Satawan unleashed a stiff shot that was however, parried away by the rival goalkeeper Muhamad Shakil. Thereafter, Churchill Bros continued in the same vein when Hussein Pindjar unleashed a blistering shot only to see it fisted away by the rival goalkeeper.
Churchill Bros’ breakthrough moment came when medio Hussain Pindjar punished the rival goalkeeper with a clinical finish off Atif Mujawar’s assist in the 10th minute. However, their joy was short-lived as Naoba Singh converted the spot-kick to send the rival goalkeeper the wrong way in the 13th minute.
The equaliser boosted the morale of Sesa and they upped the ante and fired sorties at the rival citadel but Laishram Meithi was thwarted by a rival defender. Hussain Pindjar helped Churchill regain the lead in the 23rd minute. Sesa were unlucky when Anil Chauhan’s stiff shot hit the post much to the dismay of their dugout.
After the change of ends, Churchill Bros were a dominant lot. Pidroy Carvalho’s shot from close range, kissed the crossbar in the 47th minute. ​Sesa’s Chauhan Anil came close to levelling the scores, but his volley missed by a whisker.
Churc​h​ill Brothers medio Clayton Luis was dangerously brought down by Shoaib Akhtar and required medical attention at the hospital. Referee Sharad Naik flashed the yellow card. With the time running out, Sesa made a last-ditch effort and it bore fruit when Laishram Meithi neutralised the lead at the stroke of final whistle.
