Sesa hold Churchill to 1-1 draw

Vasco: Sesa Football Academy rallied from a goal down to hold much fancied Churchill Brothers to a 1-1 draw in the Federation Cup Group B league match at Tilak Maidan here on Thursday. Churchill, who failed to put up a collective show, took the lead in the second minute when captain Odafe Okolie capitalised on the error committed by goalkeeper Shayan Roy. The young academy boys never lost hearts from the early setback and instead played collectively as they moved the ball among themselves and put pressure on the rival defense to restore parity in the 16th minute. Defender Shishuram C, who gave a good account of himself in the defense along with Vivek Kaira and Nicolau Colaco to keep the Churchill Brothers duo Odafe Okolie and Koko quiet, took a shot at the goal which goalkeeper Lalit Thapa fumbled. The ball spilled from Thapa`s hands and Lezly Fernandes who was lurking around grabbed the loose ball and slotted into the net to have both the teams tied 1-1 at half time. Sesa, controlled the midfield admirably and made inroads into the rival half constantly but Churchill`s defense stood the challenge cutting off their moves. Churchill have four points from two matches, the same as Chirag United, but lead the table on better goal difference. With only one team from each of the four groups to qualify for the semi-finals, Churchill Brothers now need a draw in their last match against Chirag United on September25. Chirag United on the other hand needs a win against to qualify for the semi-finals. Referee M Arokiaraj showed a yellow card to Sesa`s Augustin Fernandes, substitutes Gabriel Fernandes, Jayganesh Goltekarand and Churchill`s Ravanan Dharamaraj. PTI