I-League: Air India Brought To A Screeching Halt As Churchill Fight Back To Win

Air India and defending champions Churchill Brothers played an entertaining tie at the Cooperage today, with five goals scored on the day. Churchill took the tie 3-2, although the game swung both ways during the 90 minutes.

Air India took an early lead through Dada Nabeel, but a brace by Kalu took the visitors ahead. However, the in-form Opara equalized at the stroke of half time to make it 2-2. The second half was well fought, but Churchill skipper Odafa Okolie had the final say, as he slotted home at the death to win the tie for the visitors.

Air India moved Vijith Shetty to midfield in Tapan Maity's role with Napoleon Singh filling the right back slot. The visitors opted for a cautious approach as they benched Arindam Bhattacharya for Lalit Thapa.

The match started at a good pace as N.D.Opara had the goal at his mercy but sent it wide from a Ravinder Singh free-kick in just the second minute of the game. At the other end, it was Odafa Okolie who could have ended his side's goalscoring woes but his shot was blocked.

The goal finally came from a set-piece in the 4th minute as Dada Nabeel headed a cross from a corner it in at the near post to leave Churchill defenders wondering as to what had struck them.

It was a heartening sight to see the two sides show attacking intentions. Odafa had two opportunities thereafter to restore parity but couldn't convert on both occasions. Naoba Singh dispossessed Nabeel and crossed for Odafa who couldn't keep the ball down.

Some good work between Vashum and Naoba saw the latter deliver an inch perfect cross which Kalu Nnanna coolly slotted it in at the half hour mark.

A few minutes later, Air India survived when Arnab Das stopped Odafa's attempt from close range by putting his feet to good use.

The pressure applied by the Goan giants paid off in the 37th minute, when Nascimento laid the ball for Kalu whose shot zoomed past Arnab Das Sarma in no time reminding the audience of Paul Scholes' long range efforts.

However, Churchill's lead wouldn't last long, as Ravinder Singh's cross from the left saw Rowilson Rodrigues delay in clearing, which allowed Opara to find the back of the net to score his second goal right before half time.

The second session started with Gouramangi Singh heading the ball at the far post off a Robert corner but an alert Arnab Das Sarma punched it for another flag-kick.

Around the hour mark, Odafa brilliantly headed to release Felix Chimaokwu, who sent in a tame shot which was kept out by the Air India custodian who came out to avert the danger.

After getting the better of Rowilson and Robert, Opara sent the ball sailing over the bar instead of squaring it to Dada Nabeel who was all alone in front of a helpless Lalit Thapa.

The two coaches made some changes to add more vigour to their attack with Dan Ito and Santosh Koli coming in for Churchill and Air India respectively.

Odafa Okolie showed his class as he collected the ball just near the half line and his long range effort tested Arnab Das Sarma who parried it but there was no Churchill shirt to tap in.

Dada Nabeel missed a glorious opportunity to score the winner as he had all the time in the world to find the back of the net but a poor effort was punched for a corner in the 80th minute.

A contentious decision by the referee left Air India bench fuming as Lalit Thapa fumbled in his collection of the Ravinder free-kick. The ball went in but the linesman raised his flag reportedly for infringement by Soccor Velho!

In the 85th minute, substitute Dan Ito couldn't direct his header as Odafa foxed two Air India players to send in a floating ball for the Japanese midfielder.

A minute later, the Japanese returned the favour as he headed for Odafa across the goal, and the skipper didn't make any mistake this time, to win the game for the champions. The Nigerian striker could have added another a couple of minutes later but his shot was kept out by Arnab Das Sarma.

The Man of the Match award was scooped by Kalu, for his two goals that brought the champions back into the match. Churchill now move upto fourth in the league table, ahead of JCT, and behind Mahindra United only on goal difference.

Rahul Bali