Churchill pip Air India; Pune FC hold Dempo
Nigerian import Ogba Kalu Nnanna’s brilliance helped defending champions Churchill Brothers revive their campaign with a 3-2 victory over Air India in an action-packed sixth round I-League match at the Cooperage here on Sunday.
Kalu scored twice in the 31st and the 37th minutes to first allow the visitors cancel out Air India’s lead and then surge ahead. Skipper and talismanic striker Odafe Okolie scored the decisive goal in the 86th minute to put the match beyond Air India’s reach. Md Dada Nabel (4th) and N D Opara (45th) scored for the hosts.
Nabel began the goal-scoring spree when his close range header off a cross from the left beat Churchill custodian Arindam Bhattacharya all ends up. It was not too long before Kalu netted from a Thokchom Naoba Singh cross from the right to draw level for Churchill.
A good move from Nascimento Silveria few minutes later allowed Kalu to produce a right footer which left Air India goalkeeper Arnab Das Sharma stranded. However, just at the stroke of half-time, Opara equalled the scoreline for Air India as he placed to perfection an N Ravichandran lob.
To rub salt into the hosts’ wounds, Odafe, who was struggling to find the net till then, scored the winner through a header after substitute Dan Ito headed a cross from the left.
Meanwhile, Dempo Sports Club guided by a 89th minute equaliser from Anthony Pereira, managed to draw hosts Pune Football Club 1-1
Arata Izumi scored for Pune FC in the 85th minute.
