I-League: Churchill Brothers held by Dempo to entertaining draw

Current I-League leaders Churchill Brothers SC were held to a two-all draw by reigning champions Dempo SC in an I-League match at the floodlit Tilak Maidan in Vasco. Churchill Brothers moved to 48 points from 23 matches, five ahead of East Bengal with three matches remaining; while Dempo moved to 36 points from 24 matches.

Dempo looked purposeful at the start and seemed determined to spoil Churchill's early championship party. They were helped by some poor defending by the Red Machines that allowed Dempo's to go ahead as Debabrata Roy was allowed acres of space on the left and when he crossed into the goalmouth, Japanese striker Ryuji Sueoka was there to head it home for the opener in the 12th minute.

Initially Churchill Brothers looked shocked by the reversal, but soon regained ground and started to put pressure on the Dempo goal with Sunil Chhetri and Henri Antchouet a constant threat. First Chhetri forced a good save from Dempo goalkeeper Subhashish Roy Chowdhury before Henri and then substitute Belal Arezou had attempts that sailed just wide.

But Churchill Brothers equalized in the 44th minute through a perfectly curled Chhetri free-kick that beat Subhashish, but joy was shortlived as Dempo once more went ahead in the first minute of injury time, when another mistake allowed Climax Lawrence to put the ball into the net.

After the break Sunil Chhetri scored from his second free-kick from just outside the box to bring his team on level terms in the 53rd minute. Now Churchill Brothers were pushing for the winner, but Henri was the biggest culprit as he wasted two good chances.

In the end it ended two-all, surely a point won for Churchill Brothers in their quest to regain the I-League title.

VIDEO: Dempo 0-2 Pailan Arrows - Goals!

Reigning I-League champions Dempo SC suffered a surprise 0-2 loss to the youngsters of the Pailan Arrows yesterday evening at the Tilak Maidan. Here the Pailan Arrows goals!

Young Pailan Arrows score a surprise 2-0 win away to champions Dempo

Pailan Arrows notched their most significant victory since the young guns were brought together as they beat reigning champions Dempo SC 2-0 at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco on Saturday night. Arthur Papas' young but energetic side gave an excellent account of themselves as goals from Holicharan Narzary and Alwyn George in either half did the job.

The defending champions have now lost an incredible five matches in a row, their worst run since the start of the I-League and the worst performance by any team in the last five rounds.

Pailan Arrows got a dream start when Holicharan Narzary put the visitors ahead, thanks to some smart thinking. Narzary's initial header came of the post in the second minute itself but he still showed great presence of mind as he sneaked into the Dempo area and tapped the ball past Dempo goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani for the opening goal.

But the opening goal woke up Dempo as the defending champions did not seem rattled. They tried to stitch passes together and get back into the groove but the central midfield pairing of Peter Carvalho and Climax Lawrence never got going forcing coach Armando Colaco to replace Lawrence with Godwin Franco in the first half itself. Even that did not help.

At the other end, Pailan Arrows were piling on the pressure. Their quick runs gave the Dempo defenders a harrowing time with Cresson Antao and Rowilson Rodrigues working overtime to keep the attacks at bay.

In the second session, Nigerian striker Koko Sakibo and captain Clifford Miranda tried to work their magic and came close to scoring. But when Cresson Antao was booked for the second time in the 54th minute, Dempo's fate was sealed as they were down to 10 men.

Dempo substitutes Joy Ferrao and John Meyongar combined to bring Dempo on level terms but goalkeeper Shayan Roy proved equal to the challenge. And when Dempo were surging ahead in search of the equaliser, Pailan Arrows caught them on the break. This time it was Seiminlen Doungel who sent a delightful cross from the left for Alwyn George to head home the second goal.

It was a hard victory for Pailan Arrows but entirely deserving, and that too against the defending champions.

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

Churchill Bros beat Pune FC 2-1, go five points clear in I-League!

Goan side Churchill Brothers SC took a giant step towards regaining the I-League title after scoring a 2-1 victory over Pune FC in a Round 23 clash at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco this evening.

After a barren session where the teams hardly gave the other side an inch, T. Bineesh Balan and Sunil Chhetri struck majestically to give Churchill Brothers a five-point lead at the top of the table with just four matches left to be played. Pune FC, also nursing title ambitions, were left to ponder on their defensive frailties as both goals they conceded stemmed from mistakes at the back. Substitute Boima Karpeh could only pull on back for Pune FC.

Both teams were understandably nervous at the start and played extremely safe. It were the hosts, though, who created the better chances as Henry Arnaud Antchouet Rebienot, in the 10th minute, laid a ball for Afghanistan striker Balal Arezou who could not guide it into the goal. Sunil Chhetri then drilled a low ball through for Henry but the Gabonese striker delayed, allowing a rival defender to dispossess him. Pune FC did not have any clear chances in the first session with James Moga left stranded.

In the second session, Churchill took the lead. Much of the blame should be shouldered by goalkeeper Shahinlal Meloly whose poor goal-kick saw Henry trap the ball and lay it for substitute T. Bineesh Balan who showed remarkable poise to finish from a narrow angle in the 57th minute.

Churchill made it 2-0 only five minutes later when another defensive mistake allowed Sunil Chhetri the space to curl a brilliant left-footer into the top corner of the net. It could have been all over for Pune FC almost immediately but the goalkeeper Shahinlal redeemed himself with two quick saves to deny Chhetri and Balal.

Towards the end, Churchill pressed more men forward but the Churchill Brothers defence stood its ground. It was not until added time that Boima Karpeh pulled one back for Pune FC, providing for a nervy five minute in injury time towards the end.

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

I-League: Churchill Brothers host Pune FC in crucial tie tomorrow

After their win in the AFC Cup on Tuesday, I-League leaders Churchill Brothers SC go head-to-head with Pune FC in a crucial I-League clash that will possibly decide their own title ambitions at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco on Friday evening.

Churchill Brothers lead the I-League table with 44 points from 21 matches and know that a win against Pune FC will put them in the driver's seat with just four more matches to be played and opening a five points lead over closest rivals East Bengal Club.

Meanwhile Pune FC are placed third with 37 points from 20 matches, and although they are seven points behind Churchill Brothers, coach Derrick Pereira knows that a win will cut the deficit down to four points and they will still have a match in hand.

"This match will be the key. Anything can happen in the title race," said Pereira.

Pune FC have been solid in their performances and Pereira believes his team will need another superb performance to tame Churchill Brothers in their own den.

"Churchill have some tough games including Mohun Bagan and Dempo. If we can defeat them on Friday, we can start dreaming," said Pereira, who will miss Indian international midfielder Izumi Arata through suspension.

"I have noticed over the years that you have to work hard and if you do that sincerely, results will follow. At Pune FC, the management have been supportive and pushing us for results," Derrick added.

Churchill Brothers are equally determined to surge ahead in the title race.

"This is a do-or-die match for us. A win will be excellent. I hope we can do just that," said Technical Director Subhas Bhowmick.

Churchill Brothers fielded a depleted side for the AFC Cup clash against Warrior FC of Singapore earlier this week and all of the players, except for Brazilian midfielder Beto, are expected to return to the field.

"The boys are in top gear. I am sure they will deliver," said Bhowmick.

The match kicks off at 6.30pm at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco.

(Report & Photo courtesy AIFF Media)

PHOTOs: Tilak Maidan reconstruction work, I-League CEO visit

Vasco's Tilak Maidan is current undergoing renovation and I-League CEO Sunando Dhar visited the ground yesterday to have a look at the ongoing work. Though the timeframe had to extended, the hope is that Tilak Maidan will host I-League matches before the end of March 2013.

I-League CEO Sunando Dhar visits Tilak Maidan, meets club officials

The I-League CEO Sunando Dhar yesterday was in Goa to inspect the ongoing renovation work at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco. Since the Duler ground in Mapusa does not have the infrastructure to support live broadcast facilities, it was imperative for the I-League official to suggest ideas to the broadcasters who are missing high profile matches due to unavailability of suitable stadiums in Goa.

Sunando Dhar was optimistic that the renovation work would be completed soon and the stadium would host some of the remaining I-league matches this season.

The Nehru Stadium at Margao, along with Tilak Maidan are being renovated to host the 3rd Lusofonia Games later this year. Due to the excavation work at both these venues, the current I-League matches were shifted to Duler Ground in Mapusa.

Sunando Dhar was in the state to review the progress at the stadiums and to explore the possibility of live telecast of I-League matches which are currently being played by the four Goan teams.

A meeting of the four I-League club representatives was then held along with the Goa Football Association president Shrinivas V. Dempo, SAG Executive Director Elvis Gomes and GFA member Anthony Pango at the Dempo House in Panaji. Officials from the SAG expressed confidence that the I-League matches would kick start by March 20 at the fully equipped venue at Tilak Maidan, Vasco. Mr. Dhar also proposed to send a team of technical consultants from the broadcaster to give suggestions on appropriate locations for placing of the TV cameras.

In the end it was decided by the clubs to send a review report to the AIFF by mid-February.

I-League: Goa's Stadium impasse sorted!

The I-League could have faced major stadium problems in Goa with the Nehru Stadium in Margao set for major refurbishment ahead of the Lusofonia Games next year, the Duler ground in Mapusa still getting a FIFA-sponsored artificial turf which is not ready yet and the Tilak Maidan in Vasco not upto I-League and AFC Cup standard.

The I-League CEO Sunando Dhar and his colleague Sujesh Rajan were in Goa yesterday to meet the Goa Football Association and the four I-League clubs - Dempo SC, Churchill Brothers SC, Salgaocar SC, Sporting Clube de Goa - to discuss the stadium situation that has arisen in the state ahead of the start of the I-League in seven weeks time.

At the meeting it was decided that the first and second Round of I-League matches of the four Goan clubs would be home matches and played at the Nehru Stadium before it closes down for about year for refurbishment work, while all the Goan clubs would play away matches in Round three and from Round four onwards the matches would be held at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco.

While Rounds one and two are tentatively scheduled for October 6/7 and 10/11, round three thereafter but if the Tilak Maidan would be ready by late-October would have to be seen then the stadium is supposed to get upgraded within 75 days and that would mean by mid-November if work starts in right earnest in early-September.

Goa: Development of Duler Ground & Tilak Maidan

At the moment good news about infrastructure development is coming from across the country. The latest to join the list are the Goan football venues - Mapusa's Duler Ground and Tilak Maidan in Vasco.

After it had been disclosed that the Indian Football Association (West Bengal) would redevelop the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium as well as Barasat Stadium in Kolkata, yesterday the news came out that the Cooperage Ground in Mumbai can finally be developed as a football stadium.

In good news for Goan football as part of the second phase of the 'Win in India with India' program of world football governing body FIFA both the Tilak Maidan and Duler Ground will get an artificial turf to allow football to be played all year through. In the first phase four turfs were sanctioned with the Bangalore Football Stadium turf ready, while work is on in Mumbai, Shillong and Imphal.

Meanwhile at the Duler Ground in Mapusa earlier this week the work on a roof for the main stand was started with the work set to last 60 days. It is part of the development of the ground with the Goa FA getting further land around the ground to build further stands, while a new turf is also set to be installed.

In Vasco the Tilak Maidan is set for a long-term lease with the AIFF/GFA. The Sports Authority of Goa has conditionally agreed to lease out the Tilak Maidan's playfield to the AIFF to allow the first FIFA-sponsored artificial turf to be laid in Goa. According to the agreement, the AIFF will allow the SAG and Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs to use the ground as and when required for sports purpose and not for any other use.

So far it has been good news that these venues will be developed or refurbished, hopefully the work would start soon in the interest of football and its fans.

Goa Charity Match: Dempo win on penalties

Dempo Sports Club started the season the way the last season ended with a title. But Dempo needed a penalty shootout win to get past Vasco SC in the season opening Goa FA Charity Match held at Tilak Maidan, Vasco. The match had ended in a one-all draw in regulation time and Dempo won the penalty shootout 5-4 as Donald Rocha was the culprit for Vasco missing from the spot.

Dempo are set to miss a number of regulars for the next few months as they are with the Indian national team and coach Armando Colaco has put together a new, younger outfit to defend the I-League title and also play for the Goa Professional League title. But the team still has the quality to win matches as Armando has been active in the transfer season to bring in players who will have to replace seasoned campaigners like Mahesh Gawli, Samir Naik, Anthony Pereira, Climax Lawrence, Clifford Miranda and newly signed keeper Subhashish Roy Chowdhury.

Dempo took an early fifth minute lead when Nicolau Borges scored of a misunderstanding between keeper Milagrio Medeira and Queterio Pango. It was mostly Vasco thereafter but they could only equalise late in the match through substitute Christopher Borges. It ended one-all.

After the 90 minutes ended in a stalemate a penalty shootout had to decide who would win the first title of the season in Goa. For Dempo all five shoot takers converted - Valeriano Rebello, Joe Rodrigues, Godwin Diego Franco, Roy Colaco and Debabrata Roy. For Vasco keeper Milagrio Medeira, Prajot Naik, Jose Colaco and Bazileo Rego converted, but Donald Rocha's shot went wide and gave the GFA Charity title to Dempo.