In the third group stage match between Churchill Brother SC and Pune FC ended in dramatically way at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Cochin. Former I-League champions Churchill Brothers SC defeats Pune FC 3-2 to qualify for semifinals of 2014 Federation Cup.
The Goan's Red Machine proved to strong for
Maharashtra's Red Lizard. With the kick-off whistle, Pune FC started to attack
on Churchill Brothers. Wasting no time Pune FC forward, Riga Mustapha dribbles
the ball into the opponents penalty box and shot the ball from there but it
went quite high. A few seconds later Churchill player took the ball in to the
Pune FC box, but the defenders defended well and the ball went out, awarding
Churchill Brothers a corner.
Churchill Brothers failed to score from the
corner. 5 minutes later, grounded shot of Pune FC's Doha went out. Around six
minutes and some seconds, Churchill Brothers Egyptian recruit Abdelhamid
Shabana was foul outside the penalty box on the right wing. Churchill were
awarded with a free kick outside the box. Loose pass by Shabana was cleared by
Pune FC defense and the ball went to Churchill player, from there he passed it
to Shabana at the same place where he was fouled. Dribbling the ball and
tackling a player, Shabana crosses the ball from the penalty box
to Anthony Wolfe, who with his right leg chipped the ball into the nets.
A few minutes later, Pune FC's Riga was fouled and
the team was awarded with a free kick just outside the box. Defender Calum
Agnus took the target shot, but went out for a corner after touching Churchill
player. The corner shot was very easily handled by Churchill defense and again got
an opportunity missed by Pune FC.
After a few attacks created by Pune FC, finally
they got a chance to score at 19th minute when James Mayer passed the ball to
left winger Anthony D'souza who kicked the ball with full power and the ball
was rebounded backside after hitting Goalkeepers hands and on the right wing
Gabriel Fernandez came sliding and chipped the ball into the nets in no time
letting goalkeeper Lalit Thapa to settle down and save the goal.
A few minutes later Pune FC again got a chance
to score, but the Churchill defense cleared them. Later Churchill's Anthony
Wolfe fouled Pune's Dohou and dribbled to ball and passed the ball to Leeny on the
right wing. Lenny took the ball into the penalty box and kicked the ball into
the nets.
By the half time, Churchill Brother SC were
leading by 2 goals. After the 2nd half started, Gabriel Fernandez again
netted the ball making the score 2-2 by scoring on 52 minutes. Later, around 73
minutes, Churchill forward scored again and made Churchill Brothers SC lead game 3-2 till
full time.
Pune FC created many chances but failed to convert
them into the goals. On the other hand, Churchill Brother played loose pass,
but still managed to win the game with strong defense and forwards.
Churchill Brothers have qualified for the
semifinals of 2014 Federation Cup.
Best Players Of The Game:
Calum Agnus (Pune FC) , Abdelhamid Shabana
(Churchill Brothers SC)
