Match action between FC Goa and Churchill Brothers SC at the Bambolim Stadium. (Photo courtesy: FC Goa)
A brace from Willis Plaza was enough to give Churchill Brothers SC a 2-1 win over FC Goa in a friendly game at the Bambolim Stadium in Goa.
FC Goa began the game on the front foot and was on the ascendancy at the beginning of the game, playing their brand of possession-based football. Sergio Lobera’s team was, however, given a real jolt when a blistering run from Willis Plaza helped the I-League side grab the early lead in the 14th minute of the game.
The forward showed his class as his mazy run had an equally brilliant finish at the end of it, as his angled shot found the precise corner of the goal.
Churchill’s joy was, however, short-lived. Coro brought the Gaurs back on par three minutes later courtesy of a brilliant toe poke finish. The Spaniard got himself behind the backline and at the end of a typical inch-perfect ball over the top from Ahmed Jahouh.
And that’s how the first-half ended.
The deciding moment of the encounter came in the 54th minute of the game when Willis Plaza scored what would end up as the winner. The Trinidad and Tobago international climbed highest and headed home a delightful cross from the corner at the back post.
While the Gaurs tried their best to claw their way back into the game, they were thwarted time and again by a resilient Churchill defence.
This served as a great test for FC Goa who go into their first home game of the season on the 24th of October against Mumbai City.
(FC Goa)