New Delhi: New look Churchill Brothers thrashed Army Red 5-0 in a quarter final matchup in the 124th Durand Cup played at the Ambedkar Stadium here, today. Churchill Brothers who made few new signings both at the playing level and administration this season including their new coach Manuel Gomes, who served as an assistant coach in the Portugal National Team dominated the show as they pumped in all five goals within the first half on the match.
Churchill started exerting pressure from the first minute of the game when their first attempt at the goal went marginally over the crossbar. Army hardly could barely recover from the initial attack that in the eight minute Roberto Silva’s right footer off Xavier Kumar’s corner found the back of the nets.
Churchill continued their onslaught and in the 12th minute they got the second goal of the match, when Steven Dias’ cross from the right was converted by Bineesh Balan’s who scored off a well timed low header. The third goal of the match came again in the 17th minute when Bineesh found the nets from a pass from Dias who received a through pass from Henri Rebienot. Again in the next minute they could have made the score line 4-0, but Henri’s left footer found no support.
They continued their attack and created many more chances but the goal came in the 38th minute when Bineesh scored a goal off Henri's rebound who took a shot off Raju’s pass. Churchill made it 5-0 in the 45th minute when a through pass from Lenny Rodrigues was well converted by Henri with a right footer to find the right corner of the net.
After the change of ends, Churchill maintained their dominant run but could not convert the chances they created. Churchill’s coach was happy with the result. “The result was fantastic. I am happy with the way the boys played,” said the former Portuguese assistant coach.
He is currently enjoying the role he is playing and says that he is enjoying his current role as a coach of Indian club. “I enjoy Indian football. I like meeting new player. It is a fantastic opportunity. It is important for the players to get together and play as a team. It feels like a revamped Churchill Brothers,” said Manuel Gomez
In another match Air India beat ONGC 3-0 with a help of a brace from Ezeh Henry.
By Samikshan Dutta Choudhury
Indian Sports News