KOLKATA
Mohammedan Sporting ended up on the losing side of an exciting Hero I-League match here at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Tuesday as Churchill Brothers picked up their third away victory of the season. Finishing prowess made the difference as the Goan team won 2-1.
Morning did not show the day in this match. It was Mohammedan Sporting who seized the early initiative, earning the first corner of the match in the third minute and almost making it 1-0 two minutes later. Sheikh Faiaz, who was a livewire down the right, got into the box and could have gone for it himself but decided to pass to Mirlan Murzaev. He was under pressure from defender Ponif Vaz and could only hit the post.
Kibu Vicuna, the Mohammedan head coach, decided to play Marcus Joseph as a withdrawn forward once again and pushed Murzaev up front. Even though the former justified the coach’s decision in a way by creating opportunities, Murzaev failed to prove he is cut out for his job by missing two great chances.
Despite Mohammedan Sporting dominating for the first half an hour, Churchill took the lead in the 42nd minute when Martin Chaves passed to Sharif Mukhammad just outside Mohammedan box, and the Afghan midfielder coolly curled it over goalkeeper Zothanmawia, who was caught in no man’s land.
The second half of this fascinating Hero I-League match started in much the same fashion with Mohammedan building attack after attack. Faslu Rahman, coming in as a substitute, served a delicious cross to Murzaev in the 60th minute. Only Albino’s outstretched foot stopped it from going in. In fact, he looked impregnable in that period, while his defence looked unsteady. So much so that Churchill captain Momo Cisse, who had an otherwise perfect match, had to pull down goal-bound Faslu with his hands. Referee Jehrul Islam correctly gave him marching orders.
But Mohammedan’s one-man advantage did not last long. Ruatkima brought down a rampaging Chaves to receive his second yellow card and was sent off in the 73rd minute. However, Vicuna’s men kept attacking and Joseph did put the ball into the net six minutes later, only to be ruled offside.
Then Churchill assistant coach Mateus Costa made the change that eventually settled the issue. He replaced Emmanuel Yaghr with Hero of the Match Abdoulaye Sane. His presence was not felt immediately. On the contrary, when Albino spilled a powerful shot by Sandip Mandi for Abiola Dauda to pounce on it and equalise in the 90th minute, it seemed Mohammedan will get away with a point.
But Sane spoilt their day with a terrific goal. He came in from the right and went for the goal with his left foot, through the far post. The Mohammedan Sporting defence could not have done much about it.
With this win, the Red Machines are now in fourth position on the table with 23 points, while the Black and White Brigade stay ninth with 17 points.
Sreenidi end TRAU's unbeaten run at home
IMPHAL: Tiddim Road Athletic Union lost their unbeaten record at home after a 1-2 defeat against Sreenidi Deccan in the I-League here on Tuesday.
On a day where Sreenidi's top scorer David Castaneda had a quiet game, fullback Asheer Akhtar headed the Deccan Warriors into the lead (37th minute) against the run of play.
In the final stages, with TRAU desperate, their former player Konsam Phalguni Singh doubled Deccan's advantage with his 90+2nd minute strike.
From a counterattack, the midfielder found himself in acres of space just outside the box. He took his time, turning calmly to find the bottom corner.
TRAU hit back almost immediately with Pritam Singh volleying in a brilliant goal (90+4th) from just outside the box, but it was too little too late for the Red Pythons.
Morning did not show the day in this match. It was Mohammedan Sporting who seized the early initiative, earning the first corner of the match in the third minute and almost making it 1-0 two minutes later. Sheikh Faiaz, who was a livewire down the right, got into the box and could have gone for it himself but decided to pass to Mirlan Murzaev. He was under pressure from defender Ponif Vaz and could only hit the post.
Kibu Vicuna, the Mohammedan head coach, decided to play Marcus Joseph as a withdrawn forward once again and pushed Murzaev up front. Even though the former justified the coach’s decision in a way by creating opportunities, Murzaev failed to prove he is cut out for his job by missing two great chances.
Despite Mohammedan Sporting dominating for the first half an hour, Churchill took the lead in the 42nd minute when Martin Chaves passed to Sharif Mukhammad just outside Mohammedan box, and the Afghan midfielder coolly curled it over goalkeeper Zothanmawia, who was caught in no man’s land.
The second half of this fascinating Hero I-League match started in much the same fashion with Mohammedan building attack after attack. Faslu Rahman, coming in as a substitute, served a delicious cross to Murzaev in the 60th minute. Only Albino’s outstretched foot stopped it from going in. In fact, he looked impregnable in that period, while his defence looked unsteady. So much so that Churchill captain Momo Cisse, who had an otherwise perfect match, had to pull down goal-bound Faslu with his hands. Referee Jehrul Islam correctly gave him marching orders.
But Mohammedan’s one-man advantage did not last long. Ruatkima brought down a rampaging Chaves to receive his second yellow card and was sent off in the 73rd minute. However, Vicuna’s men kept attacking and Joseph did put the ball into the net six minutes later, only to be ruled offside.
Then Churchill assistant coach Mateus Costa made the change that eventually settled the issue. He replaced Emmanuel Yaghr with Hero of the Match Abdoulaye Sane. His presence was not felt immediately. On the contrary, when Albino spilled a powerful shot by Sandip Mandi for Abiola Dauda to pounce on it and equalise in the 90th minute, it seemed Mohammedan will get away with a point.
But Sane spoilt their day with a terrific goal. He came in from the right and went for the goal with his left foot, through the far post. The Mohammedan Sporting defence could not have done much about it.
With this win, the Red Machines are now in fourth position on the table with 23 points, while the Black and White Brigade stay ninth with 17 points.
Sreenidi end TRAU's unbeaten run at home
IMPHAL: Tiddim Road Athletic Union lost their unbeaten record at home after a 1-2 defeat against Sreenidi Deccan in the I-League here on Tuesday.
On a day where Sreenidi's top scorer David Castaneda had a quiet game, fullback Asheer Akhtar headed the Deccan Warriors into the lead (37th minute) against the run of play.
In the final stages, with TRAU desperate, their former player Konsam Phalguni Singh doubled Deccan's advantage with his 90+2nd minute strike.
From a counterattack, the midfielder found himself in acres of space just outside the box. He took his time, turning calmly to find the bottom corner.
TRAU hit back almost immediately with Pritam Singh volleying in a brilliant goal (90+4th) from just outside the box, but it was too little too late for the Red Pythons.
