Churchill Brothers Sports Club’s lead at the top of the table is now three points but the title favourites will ponder on missed opportunities as they were forced to settle for a goalless draw against Salgaocar Football Club at the Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Wednesday.
This is Churchill’s second draw on the trot after they shared the spoils with ONGC 1-1 in the previous game.
Needing a win to open up a comfortable lead at the top, Churchill started aggressively but could not translate their domination into a win. Churchill were also hampered by injuries to Brazilian midfielder Roberto Mendes da Silva and wing-back Raju Yumnam, both of whom had to be replaced within half an hour.
Salgaocar too were keen to continue with their winning run and get away from the threat of relegation. They played methodically and had their strikers been more sharp, they could have got something out of the game.
Randeep Kumar first tested the Churchill goalkeeper with a long ranger which Sandip Nandy parried away for an abortive corner. Minutes later, Francis Fernandes tried the same tactic but his booming shot sailed past the post.
At the other end, Sunil Chhetri and Henri Arnaud made some good runs but didn’t come up with anything special that could trouble Salgaocar goalkeeper Karanjit Singh.
The only time Karanjit needed to be at his best was when Bineesh Balan made a solo run but could not get past the goalkeeper.
In the second session, Salgaocar saw more of the ball but failed to beat a determined Sandip Nandy under the horizontal bar.
Nandy was later adjudged as the Man of the Match.
(AIFF Press Release)