By mounting a second-half comeback to overcome Mohammedan SC 2-1 at the Tilak Maidan on Tuesday, Churchill Brothers FC earned their first victory of the year.
Churchill Brothers defeat Mohammedan SC with a Pedro Tanausu Placeres field goal in the I-League
Early in the second half, Mohammedan took the lead thanks to SK Faiaz, but veteran defender Raju Gaikwad quickly levelled the score. With only six minutes remaining in regulation, Pedro “Tana” Tanausu Placeres then put an end to the game and won it.
Churchill Brothers somewhat outperformed the opposition in the opening exchanges of a first half that left both teams yearning for greater attacking intent. A little bit before the quarter-hour mark, Abdoulaye Sane was put through on the left and made a darting run into the Mohammedan box. However, some outstanding defending kept the Frenchman at bay.
After 10 minutes, Mohammedan’s Kean Lewis attempted to score with a header at the other end, but his attempt was unsuccessful.
Both teams played their defences at full strength during the first half as playmakers struggled to create many chances. As a result, neither team was able to record a shot on goal.
In the second half, both teams came out with increased energy, but Mohammedan took the lead 10 minutes into the second half through SK Faiaz. Faiaz made a deft move between Churchill’s defensive lines and was put through on goal. The 27-year-old man successfully controlled the ball on volley and struck it with his outside boot to get it past the far post and into the goal.
However, the Black and White Brigade’s advantage only lasted for four minutes as Churchill Brothers’ veteran Raju Gaikwad sprang far above his defender to nod in a corner by Quan Gomes, tying the game with 30 minutes remaining in regulation.
However, Mohammedan quickly pounced on the opportunity and minutes later, virtually came close to grabbing the lead again on two separate occasions, so there was no time to relax and appreciate Churchill’s beautiful header. The Red Machines’ goalkeeper Albino Gomes made a spectacular flying stop in front of the cameras after Safiul Rahaman delivered a precise cross from the proper direction to striker Marcus Joseph, whose leaping header had the potential to score.
With about 20 minutes remaining, Sane also had a few opportunities at the other end. Sharif Mohammad swung in a cross from the left towards the Frenchman, but the latter’s header sailed narrowly wide. A minute later, Sane again managed to get past the Mohammedan defence, but this time, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he missed the far post with his left-footed attempt.
Tana, a Spanish attacker for the home team, showed some individual skill by dribbling past two defenders, inside the Mohammedan box, and blasting it past goalkeeper Zothanmawia as the two defensive units appeared to flourish against their respective opponents.
In the extra time, Mohammedan threw bodies forward in an attempt to score the equaliser, but Churchill’s counterattack provided the greatest opportunity. The ball flew wide as the referee quickly called time on the game after Tana was put through behind the visitors’ defence and attempted a volley from just inside the area.