Revitalized FC Goa pip star-studded Churchill Brothers in GPL

The Red Machines suffered a second straight defeat in the league. 

Krishna Pandit’s early goal helped FC Goa to secure a narrow 1-0 win over Churchill Brothers Sports Club in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium earlier today.

With this win, Goan has 32 points from 19 matches, while Churchill has 13 points from 13 outings.

Goan coach Clifford Miranda made four changes to his side which were held by Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim as Liston Colaco, Franzil Negredo, Yasir Mohammed and Lalawmpuia were back in the lineup for the junior Gaurs, whereas, Churchill who were edged by Calangute Association also had six changes as coach Alfred Fernandes named as Banpynkhrawnam N, Alber Gonsalves, Yendrenbam Meitei, Janak Kudmal, Sam Palha and Nigerian striker Francis Onayema in the starting XI.   

Goans had a great start to the match as they surged ahead in the very 4th minute when Kingslee Fernandes made low cross which Churchill keeper Ricardo Cardozo failed to clear where unmarked Krishna Pandit quickly slotted the ball home from close to make it 1-0 for his side.

Also Read

Bengaluru B down Chennaiyin Reserves in I-League Second Division Clash to seal first win

Sethu FC dominate IG Academy as India Rush and Gokulam Kerala share honours

Tracing the rejuvenation of Kerala as a footballing hotbed

Churchill also had an opportunity to equalise in the 13th minutes when Yendrenbam found Alber in the box with a curling free-kick but the winger failed to connect an open header from close. Meanwhile, Kingslee made a superb run from the right flank dribbling past three defenders in the box but his fierce strike from the 6 yards was brilliantly blocked by Churchill keeper Ricardo.

Churchill custodian came with another great save in the closing stage of the first session as this time he brilliantly denied Lalawmpuia’s left-footer from the edge of the 6-yard box.

On changing the sides, Goan came close to scoring in the 55th minutes when Lalawmpuia made a dangerous run cutting past two defenders but his shot hit a defender before going out for a corner.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

Whereas, Churchill keeper Ricardo once again came with brilliant save as this time Lalawmpuia’s 25-yard free-kick was nicely fisted over the crossbar by the custodian.

Goan defenders Negredo, Leander D’Cunha, Saviour Gama and Brian Faria did the best job to keep Churchill strikers Trinidadian Willis Plaza and Nigerian Francis at the bay as both the foreigners even failed to create a single shot on target.