Churchill on brink of winning I-League

Kolkata: Churchill Brothers stood on the brink of winning their second I-League title after a clincal 2-0 victory over Mohun Bagan at the Kalyani Stadium here on Sunday.

Gabonese recruit Henry Antchouet scored both the goals (19th, 35th) as the Goans` resolute defence denied the local giants any chance to come back in the second half. The win took Churchill Brothers (51) eight points clear of the second-placed team and they now need a draw from their remaining two matches (Air India and Mohun Bagan) to win the title for the second time after their triumph in 2008-09. East Bengal and Pune FC, both on 43 points, lie on second and third places on goal difference as they have three games each. Churchill (31) have a healthy goal difference compared to East Bengal (21) and Pune FC (19) and a point would be enough for the Goans to seal the sixth I-League title. Playing without their ace midfielder Roberto Silva, Churchill Brothers did not have any problem up front with Henry and Sunil Chhetri forming a fine combination. Henry gave them the lead from a square pass off Chhetri, while he completed his second from a solo run. Technical director Subhas Bhowmick`s tactical acumen ensured Mohun Bagan`s prolific striking duo of Odafa Okolie and Tolgay Ozbey had an off day. A frurstrated Odafa was also unlucky with his curling leftfooter hitting the bar in the first half, while Churchill goalkeeper Sandip Nandy did a neat work under the bar. PTI