A game that table-toppers Churchill Brothers should have comfortably won ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, with lowly-placed Delhi FC heading home with a grin and a point in the I-League match on the Raia Panchayat ground in South Goa on Tuesday, February 11.
Churchill squandered a string of golden opportunities that could have put them in a commanding position, and they’ll be kicking themselves for letting those chances slip away.
With Churchill dropping points, Namdhari FC, which is hot on Churchill's heels, will be smiling at the chance to close the gap and pounce on the slip-up. The missed chances could prove costly as the battle for the top spot intensifies.
The match started with Delhi FC looking to make a positive impact, but it was Churchill Brothers who dominated most of the first half. Within the first five minutes, Churchill earned five corners, showing their attacking prowess.
Churchill looked the better side in all aspects of the game and their attacks paid dividends in the 12th minute when Rafiq Aminu, who came in place of Sebastian Gutierrez, scored the opening goal for Churchill.
Aminu's first attempt at goal was saved, but he made no mistake with his second one, finding the back of the net. The goal was set up by Pape Gassama, who made a brilliant run into the box and delivered a precise pass to the scorer.
Churchill continued to apply pressure, especially through Wayde Lekay, although he was tightly marked. Despite limited space for Lekay, other players on the team also posed a threat.
In the 31st minute, Stendly Fernandes’s shot narrowly missed, going just above the crossbar. By the 32nd minute, Churchill had earned six corners, showing their dominance.
Anil Gaonkar and Stendly were involved in some good attacking moves for Churchill, and Delhi FC struggled to cope with their fine runs.
Despite Churchill looking better, in the 41st minute, Delhi FC found an unlikely equaliser. A free-kick close to the goal saw Samson Keishing of Delhi FC surprise the Churchill goalkeeper for his team's equaliser.
Samson's shot lacked power, but the ball lobbed in front of the goalkeeper, who failed to judge it correctly, and it found its way into the net, making it 1-1.
However, Churchill responded immediately, and in the 43rd minute, Stendly scored from a cross off Lalremruata.
The cross should have been converted by Lekay, but Delhi's goalkeeper made a great save off his shot, and the ball fell to Stendly, who made no mistake with the side volley to give Churchill the lead once more. It was 2-1.
As the first half came to a close, Churchill Brothers went into the break with a 2-1 advantage, having dominated the game.
The second half started with a bang as Churchill Brothers came close to extending their lead in the 53rd minute when Rafiq Aminu’s header from a cross rattled the crossbar. It could have easily been Churchill’s third goal of the match.
However, just a minute later, Churchill Brothers were left distraught by an own goal from Jose Luis Moreno. The linesman correctly ruled the ball that deflected off Moreno's shot had crossed the goal line in the air. The decision by the referee was spot-on and the score line read 2-2.
Delhi capitalised on the momentum of the equaliser and gained confidence. Churchill, on the other hand, appeared to be under pressure, especially in the opening 10 minutes of the second half.
Wayde Lekay, who had been a constant threat in the first half, seemed off his best, which allowed Delhi to dominate possession and push forward with intent.
In the 64th minute, Churchill made a substitution, bringing in Trijoy Dias in place of Anil Gaonkar, as they looked to regain control of the match.
As the match progressed, Churchill looked to regain their attacking rhythm, and they mounted pressure towards the latter stages of the game.
Despite earning a total of 11 corners throughout the match, Churchill were unable to convert any of them into a goal. It was a frustrating period for the side, as they failed to capitalise on several opportunities.
Towards the end of the match, Churchill had another big chance to take the lead. Aminu was in a good position to score, but Delhi’s goalkeeper rose to the occasion with a fantastic save to deny him.
Churchill Brothers were left to rue missed chances, especially as a win would have taken them five points clear of second placed Namdhari. Instead, Delhi FC’s resilience in the second half earned them a hard-fought point.