I-League: After setback, Churchill keen to make amends and return to the top

Panaji: Churchill Brothers FC are feeling the pain of their defeat at home against Namdhari FC in the previous game and are now keen to make amends as they face an even more shocked Aizawl FC at the Panchayat ground in Raia on Sunday.

Until the Christmas season break, Churchill were cruising, at the top of the table, until they were grounded by Namdhari who secured a solitary goal win when the league resumed. The loss, coupled with Inter Kashi’s win against Dempo SC at Fatorda, meant the two-time former champions lost their top spot.

“Yes, for sure the result was disappointing,” coach Dimitris Dimitriou told TOI during the pre-match media interaction on Saturday. “We knew that the game would be difficult for two reasons. First, we had to face a very good and organised team. Second, I was afraid of the 20-day break. The players took some holidays, we came back and didn't have any matches.”

Churchill were sluggish against Namdhari, far from the team that played such attractive and dominating football. The injury to captain Aubin Kouakou at the half an hour mark didn’t help. With two foreign players – Juan Mera and Kurtis Guthrie -- leaving the club this month, the balance just wasn’t right. New signing Gnohere Krizo looked a pale shadow of his former self on his return to the club.

Churchill though were the dominant side. As Dimitriou pointed out, the numbers were overwhelmingly in their favour: 67-33 % ball possession, nine corner kicks, several attempts, and an own goal that eventually proved to be their undoing.

In the column that matters the most – goals – Churchill drew a blank.

“We are all disappointed, that’s basically the mood in the dressing room right now,” said forward Trijoy Dias, keen to upgrade his own performance. “We know we have a team that’s good enough to win the title. That’s our aim and coach is helping us move towards that goal.”

Aizawl FC have set a different goal.

Playing with an all-Mizo squad – without anyone from outside the state or a foreign player -- Aizawl are keen to promote local talent and try to survive relegation this season. So far, it’s been a mixed bag with the 4-3 loss against Sreenidi Deccan hurting them the most.

“When you are 3-0 up and you (still) lose, it’s disappointing for any team. We started the match on a positive note but what matters is how we ended the game. It was a learning experience for all of us,” said Aizawl coach Victor Lalbiakmawia.

Leading 3-0 against Sreenidi Deccan and playing at home, Aizawl allowed the visitors to stage a comeback as David Castaneda scored the winner in the ninth minute of stoppage time. It was the Colombian’s third of the game as the winners scored four times after being down by three goals till the 70th minute.

Aizawl’s only win has come against bottom-placed SC Bengaluru, but have encouraging draws against Gokulam Kerala, Dempo SC and Real Kashmir. Regardless of the absence of any foreign players, Churchill will have to be wary of the visitors.