CALCUTTA, December 28: Mohun Bagan rode on old warhorse Chima Okerie's brilliance to humble Goa league champions Churchill Brothers 2-1 in a fast-paced, absorbing second Philips National Football League tie at the Salt Lake Stadium here today.The Nigerian, who walked away with the man-of-the-match award, not only struck the winner displaying brilliant opportunism in the 60th minute, but was also instrumental in setting up the first goal for Dipendu Biswas in the 15th minute. For the losers, Kasif Jamal scored a minute before the half-time whistle with a spectacular side volley.
Kasif also found the target off a header late in the second session but the goal was disallowed by referee SG Hegde who pulled up a Churchill player for infringement.
Churchill, who combined well in the mid-field, attacked mostly through the right, with their Iraqi recruit Yonam Basim constantly harassing the Bagan defenders.
Mohun Bagan, who went down 1-0 to Air-India in their opening league encounter, now have three points
from two matches.
Mohun Bagan drew first blood in the 15th minute. Following a movement from the right. Abdul Khaleque centred for Chima who essayed a measured square pass to Dipendu Biswas inside the box.
The Churchill stoppers, Sanny D'Costa and Emeka Okeke, made a faux pas, each thinking the other would clear the ball. Dipendu, capitalising on the defensive lapse, ran a few yards and banged home with a right footer to the right of Churchill custodian Chandrakant Naik (1-0).
Churchill drew parity in the 44th minute. Basim chipped from the right for an unmarked Kasif, who chest-trapped and unleashed a snap side volley form inside the box which went into the net leaving Hemanta stranded (1-1).
Chima scored the winner in the 60th minute, when he latched on to a loose ball, and with a Churchill defender caught in two minds, the veteran striker slotted home.
Kochin rout Indian Bank
Thrissur: Rain followed Indian Bank, Chennai in the form of goals. Today, at the Municipal Stadium here, they
saw goals `raining' into their net. Favourites FC Kochin pumped in four, all in the first half against the Chennai team in their 2nd Philips National Football league match. Jo Paul Ancheri, Raman Vijayan, Mohammed Salissu and IM Vijayan struck for the Kochi club's second win in as many matches, reports SS Manoj.
The winners showed much urgency to pile on goals in the first half but faded into mediocrity in the second. The bank side lacked teeth in their attack, missing many chances during this period.
Today's display should hold FC Kochin's morale in good stead ahead of their next match on Jan 4 against Federation Cup champions Salgaocar (Goa).Kochin shot into the lead in the fifth minute. Jo Paul Ancheri crashed the ball into the net with a header from AS Firoze's lob into the area. Carlton Chapman started it all with a fine ploy that took the rival defence by surprise. The star mid-fielder passed to Firoze as the defender covered ground on the right flank.
IM Vijayan paved way for the second goal in
the 18th minute. The Kochi skipper accepted Ghanian Salissu's tap and squared to Raman on top of the area. The striker, with a clear view of goal, broke his recent goal drought with a firm shot over an advancing Felix Edward in goal. Edward was subsequently replaced by Netto in the second half.
Salissu made it 3-0 in the 30th minute with a header after IM Vijayan grabbed the ball off Edward, beat Mahendran before lobbing into the box for Salissu to do the rest.
After Indian Bank muffed chances, IM Vijayan found the net with a long-ranger to complete the rout.
Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
