Churchill Brothers stun FC Goa in GPL

Uttam Rai and Francis Oneyam scored THE GOALS for the Red Machines.

Churchill Brothers Sports Club continued their form as they blanked FC Goa 2-0 in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium earlier today.

With these three points, Churchill has 26 points from 21 matches, while Goan concluded their season on 36 points.

Churchill coach Alfred Fernandes made four changes to his side which stunned the Champions Sporting Clube de Goa in the last match as goalkeeper James Kithan, Uttam Rai, Arvind Silva and Nigerian striker Francis Onayema made into the cut, whereas, Jason Barbosa, Hayden Fernandes, Sazwin Fernandes and Franzil Issac Negredo were the few changes in the Goan lineup which halted Salgaocar FC’s winning streak.

Goan started on an attacking note and came close to scoring in the very first minute of the match when Negredo made a long ball to Lalawmpuia in the box but his goalbound shot from close was nicely pushed for a corner by Churchill keeper Kithan.  

Churchill keeper Kithan came with another breathtaking save in the 20th minute when Liston Colaco cut past a defender and went for the glory with a curler from inside the box but the Churchill custodian nicely fisted it over the crossbar. Two minutes later, Kithan made another diving save to deny Yasir Mohammad’s goalbound free-kick from 20-yards.

Churchill took 34 minutes to create their first potent attempt of the match as striker Uttam easily cut past three defenders just outside the box and shot from the top of the box but Goans keeper Shubham Dhas brilliantly deny him with a diving effort.

Two minutes later, Nigerian striker Francis made a drifting run from his own half, cutting past six opponents in his way but before he could press the trigger from inside he was brought down by Goan defender Serineo Fernandes to give away the penalty to the opponents, while, Referee Melroy D’Silva showed no hesitation to send off the defender with the direct red card. Forward Uttam stepped up and made no mistake to beat the Goans custodian from the spot to make it 1-0 for the Red Machines.

In the closing stage of the first session, Goans had the best chance to make it all square when Jason sent a short cross to Lalawmpuia in the goalmouth but Churchill keeper Kithan brilliantly collected his strong header.

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Like in the first session, Goans were the first to look at the goal in the second session as Yasir shot on the goal from the edge of the box but Churchill keeper Kithan fisted it over the crossbar.

Four minutes later, Churchill were also reduced to 10 men when their defender Banpynkhrawnam P was sent off following his second booking of the match for a harsh tackle on Goans forward Lalawmpuia just outside the box.

Churchill Nigerian frontman Francis doubled their tally in the 72nd minute of the match when Nicholas Fernandes brilliantly cut past a defender and found the Nigerian forward with a cut-back pass who blasted it in the goal from inside to cement their victory.