Goa: Odafe Okile scored a hat-trick to give Mohun Bagan a win over Churchill Brothers in the 14th round I-league clash at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Sunday.
Lalrindika Ralte had scored in the fifth minute to give Churchill Brothers an early lead in this crucial clash but Odafe Okolie scored a hat-trick – including one penalty -- to ensure the visitors walked away with 3-2 victory.
In what was essentially a must win clash for Churchill, the hosts started earnestly and were lucky to surge ahead as early as the fifth minute of play. Steven Dias, as usual, worked his way down the right flank and found Mohammad Rafi just outside the box. The striker sidestepped Anwar Ali, his marker, and then picked out Lalrindika Ralte just inside the box to turn home with his right foot, even as the entire Bagan defence just stood motionless and watched.
Bagan took that setback in their stride and continued attacking with Odafe being a constant threat. Soon enough, Odafe sent a brilliant long ball from one end to the other where Jewel Raja controlled it well but his resultant half volley hit the crossbar.
Bagan were not to be denied a second time and equalised in the 19th minute when Syed Rahim Nabi’s measured cross was chested by Odafe and then drilled past rival goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya.
Odafe was again in the thick of action but was distinctly unlucky as his stunning long ranger hit the crossbar and rebounded back into play.
Odafe then turned the match on its head with two goals in as many minutes. In the 73rd minute, an innocuous shot from him saw the ball wobble past Arindam and a minute later he converted a penalty after Barreto was brought down inside the box by Denzil Franco.
Substitute Henri Autchouet ensured there was life in the match after finding the back of the net in the 81st minute but the Bagan defence did well to thwart the challenges for the remainder of the match.
Odafe Okolie was awarded man of the match for his outstanding performance.
I-League: Salgaocar scrape past Mumbai FC
Pune: Ryuji Sueoka cut through the Mumbai FC defence to score the lone and winning goal for Salgaocar SC, in their 14th round I-League football championship match at the Balewadi Sports Complex on Sunday.
The Goans made a sedate start to the match allowing Mumbai FC to make some inroads, but openings were hard to come by despite concerted efforts by captain Noel Wilson and his fellow midfielders Cavin Lobo and Abhishek Yadav.
This was third match at the Balewadi Complex in two days and it seemed that the encounter was heading towards a draw before the Japanese sensation drew the first blood in the 79th minute of the match.
A few minutes before Ebi Sukore and Gbemene Friday had given a fright to Salgaocar when Cavin and Keegan Pereira worked the ball from the middle to set up Ebi upfront. He went right into the box with Friday in tow, but the two failed to get the opening as Vinay Singh blocked their view and attempt.
On the counterattack, Sueoka got the ball at half-line and he seemed to looking for a striker up but instead made a sprint cutting through Mumbai FC midfield before the fast approaching four defenders were foxed with one clever tap.
Sueoka turned and raced ahead to collect the ball and fire on the left of the outstretched Ishan Debnath. The goal sent Goans into loud celebrations as the defending champions finally broke into the 20-point barrier.
Salgaocar now have 22 points as does Prayag United SC but are placed No 7 on goal difference. While Mumbai FC have 14 points from 14 matches.
