I-League - Round 9: ONGC finally win first game

The ninth Round of matches of the I-League 2010/11 were played on January 14/15/16 across India. Despite being held East Bengal remain on top and newcomers ONGC finally won their first ever I-League game.


Round 9 Match by Match Short Review
14-Jan-2011: Churchill Brothers SC 3-0 (3-0) HAL, Bangalore (in Goa)
Churchill Brothers SC returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win against HAL, Bangalore at the Nehru Stadium, Margao. The Goans missed Odafe Onyeka Okolie due to injury, but the other strikers made-up for his absence. After a goalless first session the Churchill Brothers goals came from young striker T. Bineesh Balan (50th), midfielder M.P. Sakeer (58th) and Kiwi striker Kayne Vincent (86th).

14-Jan-2011: Chirag United SC 0-0 East Bengal Club (in Kolkata)
Chirag United SC held their more famed and high flying Kolkata rivals East Bengal Club to a one-all draw at the Saltlake Stadium. East Bengal were forced to play without talismanic Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey due to a card suspension and it did hit the red-and-gold who simply weren't themselves in a close match with Chirag United actually being the better side on the day.

14-Jan-2011: ONGC 1-0 (0-0) Viva Kerala (in Kolhapur)
Newcomers ONGC registered their first-ever win in the I-League a lone goal win against Viva Kerala in Kolhapur. The Oilmen were forced to work hard to earn the win. ONGC were the better of the two sides on display today, but it was only at the fag end of the game that Nigerian N.D. Opara scored the vital goal for the Mumbai side.

15-Jan-2011: Salgaocar SC 1-3 (0-3) Mohun Bagan AC (in Goa)
High flying Salgaocar SC were brought down crashing to earth by Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan AC in a 1-3 home defeat in Goa. The green-and-maroon shocked their opponents by scoring three early goals within the first 18 minutes. Winger Ishfaq Ahmed opened the scoring in the 8th minute before a double strike from striker Chidi Edeh in the 12th and 18th minute put Mohun Bagan in control and it remained this way until the break. After the breather Salgaocar did push to get back into the game, but the Goans could only reduce the deficit in the 88th minute through their Japanese recruit Ryuji Sueoka.

15-Jan-2011: AIFF XI 1-1 (1-0) Mumbai FC (in Gurgaon)
Mumbai FC needed a late equaliser to hold the young guns of the AIFF XI in an I-League match in Gurgaon. The India Juniors took an early 7th minute lead through talented striker Malswamfela and thereafter it was often Mumbai FC who were looking for the equaliser. And the Mumbai side got their goal through Ebi Theophilus Sukore's injury time strike to deny the AIFF XI full three points.

15-Jan-2011: JCT 2-0 (-) Air India (in Ludhiana)
JCT scored a fluent 2-0 win against Air India to move further away from the relegation spots, while Air India are stuck at the bottom of the table. After a barren first session African Omolaja Nurain Kareem gave JCT the lead of a header in the 61st minute and only three minutes later a Jagpreet Singh shot would rebound of the post which Badru Keke Ibrahim would put in.

16-Jan-2011: Dempo SC 2-1 (0-1) Pune FC (in Goa)
Champions Dempo SC needed a second half comeback to turn the match against Pune FC and keep the three points in Goa. The match played in Margao was finally won 2-1 by Dempo's. Pune FC, who haven't been having a good season so far, took the lead in the 14th minute through Mandjou Keita and maintained their lead until late into the match. But two quick goals from Ranty Martins Soleye (80th) and a Roberto Mendes Silva penalty (84th) turned the match in Dempo's favour.


Click here for the 4th I-League 2010/11 - League Table & Fixtures .