Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Ten-man Churchill Brothers registered a hard-fought 3-2 win over Cortalim Villagers in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, here, on Monday.
With Monday’s win, Churchill Brothers opened their account with three points, while Cortalim Villagers have five points both playing their fifth GPL match.
Churchill Brothers having lost their earlier four consecutive GPL matches saw their assistant coach Robert Fernandes bring in three of their I-League players stopper back Lesly Rebello and two midfielders Stendly Fernandes and Ngathem Meitei, but this did not have much impact in the first session.
Cortalim Villagers coach Jude Barreto fielded almost the same Starting XI that drew against Clube de Salgaocar in their last GPL match. Cortalim Villagers dominated and had better ball possession and attacks at the rival goal but twice U-21 Michael Dias failed to score.
Also skipper Jaison Vaz saw his volley in front of the goal travel out of Minesh Kunkolkar cross and minutes later though Jaison combined well with Ronil Azavedo but saw his weak strike travel into goalkeeper gloves.
At the other hand, Red Machine had just one close attempt at the rival goal but back to back strikes by U-21 Ashvek Jadhav hit defender and then collected by Cortalim Villagers custodian Abhijeet Subba.
Just three minutes into the second session, and Red Machine were reduced to 10-man with the sending off their skipper Lesly Rebello for second caution booking by Referee Tejas Nagvenkar.
But this did not hamper their spirit as they came with series of attacks.
In the 50th minute, substitute Lunminlen Haokip placement was brilliantly saved by Cortalim Villagers goalkeeper. Very next minute, Trijoy Dias strike off Stendly Fernandes free-kick hit the rival defender for a corner. Finally, in the 55th minute, Red Machine forged ahead. Substitute Lunminlen Haokip splendidly guided Ngathem Meitei corner into the goal, 1-0.
Down by a goal, Cortalim Villagers came with two threatening attacks at the rival goal but their skipper Jaison Vaz missed an open sitters to the dismay of his teammates and supporters.
While Cortalim Villagers failed to score, Red Machine doubled their lead. A short corner by Mackenzie to Lunminlen, who in turn passed the ball to Stendly Fernandes, made no mistake to shot the ball into the net, 2-0.
In the 86th minute, Cortalim Villagers reduced the margin through Ronil Azavedo from inside the 18-yard box, 2-1.In the seventh minute of stoppage time, Cortalim Villagers found their equaliser through Vesloy Carvalho from U-21 Sidney Lucas corner, 2-2.
However, Red Machine had their last laughter with substitute Ashley Koli bicycle kick, 3-2.