I-League: Churchill Brothers FC Goa register first win

Kozhikode (Kerala) [India], Jan 16 (ANI): Gokulam Kerala FC, who failed to score a single goal since their win against Indian Arrows last year, slumped to their fifth straight defeat in the on-going I-League 2017-18 as Churchill Brothers FC Goa thumped their first win of the season.

Kalu Ogba (16', 74') scored the only goal in the first half before the match went into an enthralling 45 minutes of football. Daniel Addo (59') pulled off the equaliser for the hosts before Emannuel (70') bombed the second one for Bino George's team. Their joy was cut short by Kalu Ogba again before Koffi Mechac (90'+2') calmly converted the penalty to steal all three points from Gokulam Kerala FC's grasp.

Before both the teams started to pass the ball meticulously, the Nigerian midfielder lobbed the goal from 30-yards out to send the home dugout in a shock. Gokulam Kerala FC's defender Arjun Jayaraj on his attempt to clear the ball landed the ball on to Kalu's feet who didn't miss the opportunity to rattle the back of the net.

When the match rolled into the added minutes, Provat Lakra was brutally penalised for bringing Koffi Mechac down inside the penalty box and Gokulam Kerala FC goalie Bilal Khan had absolutely no answer to Koffi's grounded right-footer blistering shot.

Churchill Brothers FC Goa, with their first win of the season, have now 4 points from 7 matches whereas the Keralite side have same points having played 2 matches more.

The Goanese side will host Shillong Lajong on January 19, 2018 and Bino George's team will host the Highlanders in their next Hero I-League fixture nine days later. (ANI)