Okolie Odafa scored, as usual, but Churchill Brothers again looked shaky. The Nigerian struck from the spot against Mumbai FC to help his team stay unbeaten in the 31st Federation Cup.
For a major part of Wednesday’s first game, the Mumbai FC back four tied down Churchill Brothers, especially lynchpin Odafa, with some clever defending. Well aware of Odafe’s ability to run through the middle, Mumbai FC coach Khalid Jamil deployed centre backs Kamaljeet Kumar and Bernard Achaw just to guard the prolific goalscorer.
The Mumbai FC coach’s ploy worked to an extent and it seemed Churchill Brothers would have to be content with a point. But like all good players, Odafa exploited the only mistake the Mumbai FC made in the match. He converted from the spot after referee Debjit Das called Kamaljeet Kumar for handling the ball inside the box.
Not just Odafa but Churchill Brothers’s Reisingmei Vashum and Charan Rai too weren’t given much leeway by Mumbai FC. Even the usually solid Ogba Kalu Nana had to toil hard in the middle to counter Abhishek Yadav and Japanese recruit Kayne Vincent.
With Yadav and Vincent being reined in well by Churchill Brothers defenders Gouramangi Singh and Rowilson Rodrigues, Mumbai FC too didn’t have many clear chances.
{{/usCountry}}With Yadav and Vincent being reined in well by Churchill Brothers defenders Gouramangi Singh and Rowilson Rodrigues, Mumbai FC too didn’t have many clear chances.
{{/usCountry}}With this win, the I-League champions are virtually assured of a semi-final berth while Mumbai FC must now win against HAL, Bangalore.
Sporting Clube back on track
Nathaniel Amos and Elijah Junior scored once each to lead Sporting Clube de Goa to a 2-0 win over HAL, Bangalore. In an evenly-contested match, Amos, who scored against Mumbai FC in a losing cause, took advantage of a defensive lapse before slotting home a right-footer at the near post.
Skipper Junior doubled the lead when he lobbed the ball over custodian Amar Deb from inside the box.
The win kept alive Sporting’s hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals, while HAL, with two defeats in as many matches, are out of the tournament.
Today’s fixtures
JCT vs Viva Kerala, 3pm
East Bengal vs Salgaocar, 5.30pm