Churchill Brothers skipper Okolie Odafa headed home a late winner as the Goans finally managed a win after four draws, beating Air India 3-2 in an I-League match at the Cooperage here on Sunday.
The entertaining sixth round game swung both ways and it was impossible to tell who would emerge the winners until the final whistle. Ogba Kalu Nnanna scored twice for Churchill in the 31st and 37th minutes.
Air India were a little unlucky as their second-half goal was cancelled by the referee. It was a controversial decision. Though coach Bimal Ghosh felt his side was robbed of points, he was equally critical of his team’s defending. Air India’s back four looked jittery and lacked communication which ultimately led to their defeat.
The match started at a scintillating pace with both sides looking to take an early lead. Air India were rewarded as early as the fourth minute when Dada Nabeel’s header put them ahead. But that was their sole moment of happiness as Churchill gradually took control. The defending champions, who were desperate for a win to get their campaign back on track, restored parity in the 31st minute through Nnanna. He was left unmarked in the D and he easily tapped in a Naoba Singh cross.
Kalu, in fact, made some nice runs through the middle, keeping the AI defence constantly on their toes. He was in the thick of things again in the 37th minute — this time unleashing a powerful right footer from just outside the box giving AI custodian Arnab Das Sarma little chance. ND Opara equalised in the dying moments of the first half. Ravinder Singh played an accurate lobbed pass to find Opara, who made no mistake in scoring his fifth goal of the season.
AI were denied a goal mid way — a decision that left their bench fuming.
Churchill ‘keeper Lalit Thapa fumbled against a Ravinder free-kick. The ball went in but the linesman pulled up Soccor Velho for infringement. Odafa scored the winner in 86th minute.
With 10 points, Churchill are placed fourth in the table.
