Synopsis
The match between SC Bengaluru and Churchill Brothers ended in a 1-1 draw, with both teams showcasing their skills. Wayde Lekay scored for Churchill Brothers, and Clarence Fernandes equalized for SC Bengaluru. The result allowed SC Bengaluru to escape the bottom of the table while Churchill Brothers missed a chance to take the lead in the standings.Key Takeaways
- SC Bengaluru earned their first away point in the I-League history.
- Churchill Brothers remain one point behind Namdhari FC.
- Clarence Fernandes scored after coming back from injury.
- Churchill Brothers hit the woodwork twice during the match.
- Kuriyama made crucial saves to keep the draw intact.
Raia (Goa), Feb 3 (NationPress) The Churchill Brothers squandered the opportunity to ascend to the top of the table, while Sporting Club Bengaluru climbed out of the last position in the I-League 2024-25 standings after the teams played to a 1-1 draw at the Raia Ground on Monday.
After Wayde Lekay’s ninth goal of the season provided Churchill Brothers with a lead in the 61st minute, Clarence Fernandes, in his first start in the I-League, brought SC Bengaluru back on level terms in the 73rd minute.
This result leaves Namdhari FC at the top with 24 points from 12 matches, while Churchill Brothers follow closely with 23 points. It marked SC Bengaluru’s first point away from home in the I-League, breaking a streak of six consecutive road losses. The Golden Tigers now sit with nine points, moving above the last position for the first time in two months, as Delhi FC takes over 12th place.
In the first half, one would have found it challenging to believe that Churchill Brothers were the title contenders while SC Bengaluru was battling relegation. The visitors dominated the game, coming close to scoring on two occasions, hitting the woodwork.
Both chances emerged from corner kicks. In the 23rd minute, Saiyyad Umar’s corner was met by an off-balance header from Clarence Fernandes, which fell to Álex Sánchez, whose half-volley struck the crossbar.
Just four minutes later, Churchill Brothers’ goalkeeper Sayad Kadir made a crucial fingertip save to deny a volley from Salam Johnson Singh. Captain Carlos Lomba took the resulting corner, finding Shafeel PP who headed the ball onto the crossbar. Near the end of the first half, Lomba had a chance but shot just above the goal.
A golden opportunity for Churchill came when Anil Gaonkar dribbled into the box, only to be expertly tackled by Oinam Sanatomba Singh just before he could shoot.
Following a lackluster first half, Churchill’s coach, Dimitris Dimitriou, swiftly made changes, introducing new signing Rafiq Aminu and returning midfielder Sebastián Gutiérrez, which revitalized the attack.
The opening goal came in the 61st minute when Gutiérrez found Aminu with a stunning outside-of-the-boot pass. The Ghanaian displayed quick footwork before sliding the ball across the goal, allowing Wayde Lekay to back-heel it into the net.
However, the visitors were determined not to leave empty-handed. They equalized just 11 minutes later from a free-kick near the sideline. Lomba sent a knee-height ball into the box, where former Churchill player Clarence Fernandes connected and scored past Kadir.
As the match progressed, Churchill sought a late winner, creating several chances but failing to convert. Kuriyama denied them with crucial saves, including a dipping shot from Pape Gassama and a powerful deflected shot from Gutiérrez. In the 81st minute, Gutiérrez set up Gassama, but the Senegalese player missed an open shot from just outside the box.
