Sporting hold Churchill to a goalless draw

Margao: Custodian Luis Barreto`s heroics under the bar helped Sporting Clube de Goa hold Musli Power

Churchill Bros to a goalless draw and split points in the 10th round of the I-league here today. Sporting, who were looking for their first win, started well as they dictated terms against their fancied rivals and created some good chances. But Nathaniel Amos first angular drive missed the target narrowly and later rival keeper Arindam Bhattacharya made a diving save. Churchill Bros failed to combine themselves in the midfield and also lacked the urgency in their attack. Odafe Okolie then dodged past his marker and took a shot at the goal but keeper Baretto did well to deflect the ball over the bar. Churchill Bros raised their game in the second half with Okolie stepping up pressure on the rival defense and had a chance to put his team ahead early in the second half but his left footer hit the cross bar after he played a one-two pass with Kalu Ogba. Later he again had an opportunity to put his team up but this time keeper came to his side rescue when he blocked a powerful shot from inside the box. Churchill kept on the pressure and Okolie from the left sent a cross which Charan Rai was late in connecting the ball. Sporting keeper Luis Baretto who won the man of the match award for his brilliant performance under the bar kept the slate clean when he denied Okolie from scoring as he parried the ball over from a flag kick taken by Charan Rai. Churchill Bros now have 18 points from 10 matches. While Sporting clube de Goa remained at the bottom without a win have five points from 9 matches. PTI