I-League 2023-24: Late goals from Churchill Brothers lower Sreenidi Deccan's title hopes

Sreenidi wasted the opportunity to grab three points from the exciting I-league clash.

Sreenidi Deccan let a two-goal lead slip away to end up with a disappointing 2-2 draw against Churchill Brothers FC at the Deccan Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024. Despite dominating a majority of the game, the hosts let two points slip away in a major setback to their chances of extending the I-League title race.

With three games of the season left, Sreenidi Deccan are eight points behind the leaders Mohammedan Sporting, and will have to win their remaining fixtures to keep the hopes of winning the title alive. They no longer have control over their destiny since Mohammedan Sporting needs just five points from their remaining three fixtures to walk away with the champions’ tag.

The hosts knew that any chance they had at extending the title race hinged on their ability to keep gaining ground when Mohammedan Sporting lost some. A fast start was necessary and they jumped at Churchill without any restraint in the opening minutes. With barely four minutes on the clock, Wiliam Alvez de Oliviera gave them the lead with an immaculate finish. The Brazilian picked up Lalromawia’s cross with a brilliant first touch and then blasted his shot into the bottom corner.

Churchill were stunned but not out. They slowly grew into the game even if Sreenidi mostly kept them at bay and Nischal Chandan saw his header bounce off the post in the first quarter. Sreenidi recognised this threat and knew that it would take more than a goal to ensure the points.

It arrived in the 39th minute, Lalromawia heading an immaculate Rilwan Hassan in swinger to double the lead. The winger’s header was straight at Subashish Roy Chowdhury, but the goalkeeper barely had time to react from such close range and despite a save saw the ball roll over the line.

Sreenidi Deccan did just enough through the course of the second half to keep Churchill Brothers at bay, never really extending themselves but not letting their levels drop either. Churchill, for their part, couldn’t muster up much, Martin Chaves’ ability never enough to create trouble in the final third. But completely against the run of play, Stendly Fernandes scored a screamer in the 83rd minute to pull Churchill to within one.

The goal seemed to set Sreenidi’s nerves on edge and mistakes immediately crept into the defence. In the 89th minute, Lamgoulen Semkholun capitalized on a sleeping defence to rifle in the equaliser from a narrow angle to put paid to the hosts’ chances of making up ground in the title race.

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