Churchill finally beaten

Churchill finally beaten
Agencies

MARGAO, Jan 3: Defending champions Salgaocar brought Churchill Brothers winning spree to an end by inflicting a solitary-goal defeat on them in the fourth edition of the National Football League today. Salgaocar, who dominated the first half, scored in the 33rd minute through Gbengal Lawal after a brilliant move initiated by captain Robert Fernandes.

Fernandes, from the centre, relayed the ball to Alvito D'Cunha on the right and the forward passed it to Joao Santos on the side line. The Brazilian eluded two rival players and sent a goalmouth cross where defender Denzil Ferrao failed to intercept and Lawal volleyed the ball home.

Churchill, who suffered their first defeat, felt the absence of striker Andriy Malchevky due to two bookings. Luck also deserted them, as headers by Rocky Baretto and Anthony Mathew hit the bar.

FC KOCHIN, BSF draw: FC Kochin and BSF, Jallandar were locked in a goalless draw at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi tonight.

BAGAN win BENGAL DERBY: Soccer giants MohunBagan began their campaign in the new millennium on a happy note as they beat their arch rivals East Bengal 1-0 at Salt Lake Stadium, Calcutta today.

The goal was beautifully netted by medio James Singh in the 29th minute of the second half. Collecting the ball near the rival half line, Bagan striker Nigerian Stephen Abarowei swerved past a defender and scooped the ball inside the East Bengal box while James, following the move, made it home with a right-footed volley.

SBT SCORE FIRST WIN: State Bank of Travancore, Thiruvananthapuram, earned their first win in five matches when they drubbed local challengers Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) by a solitary goal at Bangalore.

After a barren first half, the all-important goal came in the 28th minute when T Shabir Ali struck, capitalising on a defence lapse. For ITI, it was their third loss. Playing with purpose and understanding, SBT dominated the proceedings and effected repeated raids despite missing their star players owing to injuries. Goalkeeper g Manoharan did a splendid job under the bar effecting some brilliant saves bringing to nought the efforts of the ITI forwards.