Vasco Da Gama: Mechac Koffi’s power-packed debut performance helped Churchill Brothers earn their first point of this season after five consecutive losses, holding table-toppers East Bengal to a hard-fought 1-1 draw at the Tilak Maidan here on Monday.
Placed last in the 10-men table having shipped in 13 goals while scoring just two, 2018 seems to have brought a new dawn into historical club with the addition of four new stars that sparked a new lease into the otherwise unsettled team and coach Alfred later said, “It was something that the doctor ordered.”
Desperate for a change after a disappointing 2017 finishing winless in the league, the ‘Red Machines’ started on the positive note Playing with a direct approach and attacking with aplomb. But it was East Bengal who took the lead.
A long yet low cross from Laldanmawia Ralte found Jobby Justin’s flying header in the 26th minute, their first proper chance in the match and this was after Uttam Rai and Peter Omoduemukehas squandered easy chances. But it was Al-Amnah on the opposite side who nearly doubled the lead, moments later.
The goal seemed to have taken the initial gel out of Churchill who looked bereaved of motivation as East Bengal upped their ante and could have scored thrice but their failure to do so, left coach Khalid Jamil disappointed. “We missed two vital points. We tried very hard but we have to rectify our mistakes. All the players who come on the pitch must give their best. Any changes (substitutes) who come in as well should be effective,” he said later.
Kalu Ulche missed the target for churchill from a goal-melee distance at the hour mark, but it didn’t matter as 15 minutes later Koffi got the important equaliser from 18 yards out after a quick one-two with Britto. His curled shot sailed past Luis Barreto as the 5000 odd fans rose in cheers sensing their first point of the season.
The Ivorian nearly added a second in the next five minutes after running past Arnab Mondal but his cross into the box found none and both the teams shared the spoils for the night.
Although just a draw what was more important for newly recruited head coach Alfred Fernandes was the elusive point that came after a rang of five matches. “At least after five matches, the points are on the table. If not one, we could have come out with full three points but no complaints. I’m happy with the result,” he said escalated with his team’s performance against the Kolkata giants.