RSS
ATOM
advertisement
I-League: Churchill Grab Equalizer In Injury Time To Deny Viva Kerala A Famous Win
The Keralites were oh-so-close to sealing a win against the champions...
11-Mar-2010 5:58:00 PM
Goal.com India
In a hard-fought encounter in Kozhikode, Viva Kerala drew 1-1 with defending I-League champions Churchill Brothers, although they were looking like completing a marquee win until Churchill supersub Vimal Pariyar equalized in injury time. The hosts had taken the lead in the first half, through P Rahul, and had a number of opportunities to seal the game, but paid for their profligacy. Defender Charles Dzisah was named Man of the Match.
Churchill, on the back of an impressive win against Chirag United, started the match strongly, as Odafa looked to make a menace of himself in the Viva half. However, Viva's goal didn't look under much threat, as the defence, led superbly by Charles Dzisah, held up well.
The visitor's first attempt came through Lalindrika Ralte, whose shot blazed over the bar in the 14th minute, two minutes after which Odafa had a go as well, but couldn't find the target with his strike.
Gradually, the home team started to hold their own in the game, and after the first twenty minutes, started to venture into the Churchill half as well. Rahul had a very good chance in the 25th minute as the ball fell to him just inside the box after Viva's first corner, but he couldn't keep his rushed shot on target.
Reuben, who has been notching up some impressive performances lately, surged into the Churchill area just two minutes later before connecting well with his shot, but it was straight at Arindam, who gathered at the second attempt.
Sakeer had a go from distance as well, but blazed his shot over. However, the breakthrough was coming, and it did in the 36th minute, as Sakeer sent Reuben through into the box, and the striker laid it off brilliantly for Rahul, who slotted home to make it 1-0 to Viva.
Thereafter, it was Viva who ended the half strongly, as Reuben fluffed a chance after being found in a good position by Sakeer, who had a shot of his own as well, which Arindam parried away for a corner.
The second half began, and Viva could have been 2-0 up within the very first minute, as Sakeer raced clear on a counter attack and sent his low shot past Arindam, but it brushed past the post for a goal kick.
Churchill began to gather themselves, and Kalu came periliously close to equalizing, as his 20-yard shot whizzed just past the woodwork, with Shibinlal beaten.
The visitors didn't look incisive enough in front of goal, and coach Carlos Pereira rung in the changes, as he brought on Charan Rai and Vimal Pariyar for Vashum and Nascimento.
However, throwing men forward always leaves holes at the back, and Viva were presented another opportunity in the 75th minute, as a neat one-two between Karma and Sakeer sent the former one on one with Arindam and beat him, but the Churchill defence raced back to clear his shot off the line.
Sakeer and Reuben missed further chances thereafter, especially the latter, who should have scored, and the home side paid for their profligacy in injury time, as substitute Vimal Pariyar popped up in the box to head home an Odafa cross, breaking Viva hearts, and crushing their dreams of a marquee win.
The win would have taken the Keralites up to 7th in the league, but now they stand 9th, overtaking JCT. Churchill though, risk falling behind once more in the title race, as they still lie 3rd, three points adrift of leaders Dempo.
Goalscorers:
Viva Kerala - P Rahul (36')
Churchill Brothers - Vimal Pariyar (90'+2)
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
2 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
I-League team of the round 19
Goal.com summarizes all the action of the I-League and selects a team from the best performers of round 19.......
-
Why Valencia must topple Barcelona and win the Copa Del Rey
Goal.com's Debjit Lahiri looks into why Valencia must win the Copa Del Rey in order to stake their claim among the elite league and be the 'third' face of Spanish Football..
-
Blue View: Chelsea vs. Manchester United – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
As the dust settles on the Stamford Bridge after Sunday's thriller, beyond dubious penalties, beyond diving claims, beyond own goals, Arkaprabha Chakraborty analyzes Chelsea's game
-
AC Milan Vs Juventus: Why the Rossoneri need to beat The Old Lady in the Coppa Italia
As the San Siro gears up to welcome the Bianconeri for the Coppa Italia first leg, Goal.com looks at why AC Milan must win this...
-
Cartoon of the Day: Galliani slaps down a red-faced Ibrahimovic
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day ...
Advertisement
Advertisement
