Vasco hold Churchill

Vasco came from behind to hold Churchill Brothers to a 1-1 draw in an Oil PSU National Football League match at the Nehru stadium in Margao, Goa, on Monday.

Churchill, who had beaten Vasco in the first-leg, held the initiative in the early part of the match and surged ahead in the 13th minute following a defensive lapse after defender Franky Barreto, who failed to clear a Yusif Yakubu lob. Ratan Singh quickly pounced on the opportunity and volleyed home from close.

Vasco took time to settle down and regrouped in the latter part of the first session during which they found the equaliser. In the 38th minute, defender Sanjay Parte, who overlapped on the left, relayed the ball to Rui Weis Wanderley, who send a measured cross to Jules Alberto Dias inside the box. Dias found the far end of the net with an angular drive.

The teams went to the break tied at 1-1.

After the change of ends, Churchill let go a glorious chance to regain the lead when hardworking Ratan Singh sent a cross to unmarked Roque Barreto, who failed to score from close.

Both the teams were unable to raise the game to great heights and the Churchill citadel survived a scare when a shot by Wanderley was saved on the goalline by defender Osunamu Husseini.

Vasco again came close to scoring in the dying minutes but keeper Edward Ansah stood firm to deny Agnelo Colaco a goal following a flag-kick by substitute Sushant Mathew.

With this draw, Churchill have 21 points from 14 matches.

Vasco took their tally to 24 points.