Goal.com

Goal.com revisits all the action from week 16 of the I-League and chooses a team from among the star performers in the games.

Round 16 of the Indian I-League witnessed some crucial duels between teams at opposite ends of the table and they threw up some interesting results.

ONGC FC beat Salgaocar FC 1-0 to cap off their long run of home games on a winning note. In a contest with few clear cut opportunities for either side, Lalnun Puia’s strike just after the break proved decisive for the hosts. The win sees the Oilmen pick up another three points, that take them to mid-table safety and are on 19 points from 15 outings. Meanwhile, the Greens drew another blank on the road and they are in 12th spot with 11 points from 14 games and in deep relegation trouble.

Prayag United registered a come–from-behind 2-1 win at Sporting Clube de Goa. Ogba Kalu Nnanna put the home side in front in the 22nd minute. However, the visitors hit back with two second half goals from striker Ranti Martins and defender Bello Rasaq to seal the three points. The result sees Eelco Schattorie’s men pick up their third win on the trot and are in 5th place with 23 points from 15 matches. On the other hand, the Goans are in 10th with 13 points from 14 games.   

Air India drew 1-1 with Pailan Arrows as neither side could make the most of their chances to grab the three points. Henry Ezeh put the Airmen in front just after the half hour mark, but they failed to hold on to that advantage and Rajinder Kumar smashed in the equaliser on the stroke of half-time. With a split of the points, the Pilots are 9th with 14 points from 13 games. Also, the stalemate brings a halt to the Arrows’ losing streak and they are 8th with 15 points from as many outings.

The uninspiring 0-0 draw between Shillong Lajong and Dempo SC did neither side any favours. However, with both teams having been goal-shy in recent times, a share of the spoils was hardly a surprise. The result sees Armando Colaco’s side lose further ground in the title race and they remain 4th with 27 points from 14 games. Meanwhile, with a mere 12 points from 15 matches and in a precarious 11th position, the northeast outfit are battling it out to save their skins down at the wrong end of the table.

East Bengal thrashed Mumbai FC 2-0 firmly re-establishing their title credentials. Edeh Chidi gave the Red and Gold an early lead in the 11th minute and Lalrindika Ralte made sure of the three points with an absolute belter seven minutes after the restart. The visitors were second best for most of the game and the margin of defeat would have been even greater had it not been for an outstanding display by Luis Barreto between the sticks. Trevor Morgan’s side are now second with 30 points from 15 games, while, Mumbai stay sixth with 20 points from 14 games.

Churchill Brothers SC won 2-1 against United Sikkim continuing their march towards the crown. Midfield lynchpin Beto gave the hosts an early lead on four minutes and Henry Antchouet converted from the penalty spot to double the advantage in the 72nd minute. John Landa Matkin pulled one back for the visitors but that was not to be enough. The result puts the Goans firmly in control of top spot as they are on 34 points from 14 games, 4 points ahead of second placed East Bengal with a game in hand, Nathan’s Hall’s side meanwhile, languish second from bottom with 10 points from 15 outings.  

TEAM OF ROUND 16

Soram Angamba Pailan Arrows

Bilal Najarin Churchill Brothers SC

Bello Rasaq Prayag United

Hassan Odeola ONGC FC

Carlos Hernandez Prayag United

Penn Orji East Bengal

Beto Churchill Brothers SC

Katsumi Yusa ONGC FC

Israil Gurung Churchill Brothers SC

Edeh Chidi East Bengal

Ranti Martins Prayag United

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