New Delhi: Mahindra United and Churchill Brothers played out an exciting 2-2 draw at the Barasat Stadium where the referee grabbed all the headlines for his wayward decisions which almost took the game away from the Red Devils in matchday two of Group B of the Federation Cup.
The Mumbai club started with striker Manjit Singh being put into the right back slot while Sushant Matthew, Lamine Tamba and Dhanraj Ravanan formed the rest of the back four. Churchill Brothers brought in Naoba Singh for Robert Lalthampuana who had a poor last game against Mohammedan Sporting.
This was the most crucial game in the group as the two sides were the favourites to qualify into the next round. Mahindra United were rewarded for the early bit of possession when a fine interplay between Pradeep and Chidi ended in Sushil Kumar scoring in the 12th minute. Pradeep found Chidi inside the box whose deflected pass for Sushil was put into the desired target.
Thereafter, Churchill Brothers looked stronger and tried their best to initiate moves from the centre and the left. Chitra Singh lobbed the ball to Odafa, who under pressure from Tamba, couldn’t take a shot as Sushant Matthew cleared in time for a corner.
The equaliser came in the 20th minute as Kalu Nnanna sent in a lofted ball on the left which was ably crossed by Paite. Odafa laid it for an onrushing Bineesh Balan who took his shot first time and beat goalkeeper Subashish Chowdhury with a firm grounder.
Two minutes later, Chidi Edeh being surrounded by Raju and Gouramangi Singh couldn’t do much as the referee awarded a free-kick against him. Mahindra coach Derrick Pereira was seen protesting against the decision. The Jeepmen’s journey was halted at the half hour mark when goalscorer Sushil Kumar had to be substituted due what looked like a back injury. In came Debabrata Roy as the left back while Mohamed Rafi moved up to join Chidi.
The move almost paid off as Rafi’s shot came off the post from a short corner. At the other end, Odafa Okolie who wasn’t given much breathing space hit a long ranger which went straight to goalkeeper Subashish Chowdhury.
The final few minutes towards the end of the first session was something that Mahindra United would rue. A Steven Dias’ free-kick from the left was met by a header by Lamine Tamba which produced a reflex save from goalkeeper Lalit Thapa.
The resultant corner saw Pradeep’s header on the rise o over the bar. A quick counterattack saw Odafa being fouled by Sushant Matthew and the referee had no qualms in pointing to the spot. The Nigerian blasted it into the far side and put his side in a commanding position at the end of the first session.
Four minutes into the second half and Mahindra restored parity with a Steven Dias free-kick from the right. Mahindra United upped their ante to search for the winner. Gouramangi Singh passed it to for Kalu but the ball was snatched by Pradeep from behind and found Chidi. The Nigerian hit it straight at the defender and wasted a brilliant opening.
A Sushant Matthew throw-in from the right saw Sukhwinder Singh unleash a left footer which was collected by the Churchill custodian Thapa on the second attempt. Raju was fouled by a Mahindra defender and the referee surprising awarded a corner-kick for Churchill Brothers which amazed almost everyone!
Churchill Brothers came close in the 66th minute as Odafa Okolie back-heeled to find Paite whose swerving cross was headed by Bineesh Balan only to see goalkeeper Subashish Chowdhury producing a reflex save.
Two minutes later, Bineesh released Valles on the right who crossed it for Odafa but Tamba averted the danger in time. Nicholas Rodrigues sent in a measured cross for Bineesh at the centre but was denied by substitute Debabrata Roy.
The final minutes saw Mahindra literally have a camp in the Churchill half.
Mohamed Rafi lobbed to Chidi whose shot on the turn under pressure from Govin and Gouramangi Singh went for a corner. Sukhwinder Singh made a brilliant run down the middle to release Chidi. Goalkeeper Lalit Thapa came out to cut the angle for Chidi who turned and laid it for Sukhwinder instead. The burly midfielder hit it wide from the outside of his foot.
The final minute of the regulation time was tarred with a controversial decision. Sukhwinder Singh lobbed the ball inside the box. Naoba Singh played volleyball instead of football and cleared the ball before Rafi could head it in. Mahindra players cried in unison for a handball but their appeals fell on deaf ears.
Naoba, who was on a yellow card, should have been sent-off for the incident and a spot-kick was what Mahindra deserved. The match ended with scenes of Mahindra players protesting with the referee about the handball.
Goalscorers Mahindra: Sushil Kumar (22nd min) and Steven Dias (49th min)
Goalscorers Churchill: Bineesh Balan (20th min) and Odafa Okolie (44th pen)
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