Sporting hold Churchill

Mumbai FC snatch point from East Bengal

Sporting, who were looking for their first win, started well as they dictated terms against their fancied rivals and created some good chances.

But Nathaniel Amos first angular drive missed the target narrowly and later rival keeper Arindam Bhattacharya made a diving save.

Churchill Bros failed to combine well in the midfield and also lacked the urgency in their attack.

Odafe Okolie then dodged past his marker and took a shot at the goal but keeper Baretto did well to deflect the ball over the bar.

Churchill Bros raised their game in the second half with Okolie stepping up pressure on the rival defense and had a chance to put his team ahead early in the second half but his left footer hit the cross bar after he played a one-two pass with Kalu Ogba.

Later he again had an opportunity to put his team up but this time the keeper came to his side’s rescue when he blocked a powerful shot from inside the box.

Sporting keeper Luis Baretto who won the man of the match award for his brilliant performance under the bar kept the slate clean when he denied Okolie from scoring as he parried the ball over from a corner kick taken by Charan Rai.

Churchill Bros now have 18 points from 10 matches. While Sporting clube de Goa remained at the bottom without with five points from 9 matches.

In another match Mumbai FC held Federation Cup winners East Bengal to a goalless draw at the Cooperage grounds.

Meanwhile the fixture between Viva Kerala and JCT was postponed to Sunday due to floodlight faliure.