MARGAO
Churchill Brothers FC squandered their home advantage and had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Delhi FC in an I-League clash at Raia Panchayat Ground on Tuesday.
The match saw Churchill Brothers take the lead twice, with Ghanaian striker Rafiq Aminu scoring in the 12th minute and Stendly Fernandes adding a second in the 43rd minute. However, Delhi FC fought back each time, with Samson Keishing leveling the score in the 41st minute and Junior Onguene Nkengue’s cross turning into an own goal off Churchill defender José Luis Moreno in the 54th minute.
The match was largely confined to midfield, with both teams struggling to produce quality chances. Despite the draw, Churchill Brothers managed to cling to the top of the standings with 27 points. However, this result prevented them from solidifying their position in the league, as they missed a golden opportunity to extend their lead.
The opening goal came in the 12th minute when Aminu fired a shot past Delhi FC goalkeeper Lalmuansanga, following a powerful run from Pape Gassama. Churchill Brothers pressed for a second but were pegged back in the 41st minute when Keishing’s low free-kick, taken by Vanlalhrita K, beat the Churchill wall and found the back of the net.
Stung by the equalizer, Churchill Brothers responded immediately. Just two minutes later, Fernandes capitalized on a well-executed ball from the left and finished powerfully to restore the lead for the Red Machines.
In the second half, Churchill Brothers pushed for a third goal, and Aminu came close with a header off Lalremruata’s free-kick that hit the crossbar. But Delhi FC would not be denied and leveled the score again in the 54th minute when Nkengue’s cross deflected off Moreno into the net for an unfortunate own goal.
Despite pressing hard in the final stages of the game, Churchill Brothers could not find the winner. Delhi FC, aided by several crucial saves from Lalmuansanga, managed to hold on for a valuable point that helped them stay out of the relegation zone.
Delhi FC owner Ranjit Bajaj was pleased with his team’s 1-1 draw against Churchill Brothers FC. “It’s an excellent result for us,” Bajaj said.
He further elaborated, “Churchill Brothers are strong contenders for the top three spots in the league, and earning a draw against them highlights our capability to secure positive results. We knew it would be a tough game, especially against a team with such high-quality players. They were well-organized, performed strongly, and pressed hard to win the ball back.”
