'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAICRAEAOw=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Defending I-League champions Churchill Brothers SC scored a 2-1 win over United SC in the opening match of the 35th Federation Cup in Group A at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.
Jayanta Pal, who joined the Purple Brigade only a few days back on loan from East Bengal started in goal, but it took him only five minutes to concede his first for United SC when despite saving the first shot of Abdel Hamid Shabana, he was beaten by the rebound. Churchill Brothers had another good chance in the 17th minute, when Balwant had a good run down the right, but his shot was blocked well by Jayanta.
Trending
It, however, took the Red Machines only a minute more to double their lead when Balwant once again looked the danger man as he used a great through ball from Lenny Rodrigues to give his team a two goal cushion.
The Kolkata side came to life late into the first half as they pulled off a couple of good moves. In the 40th minute, Eric Brown pulled the trigger from the left edge, but his shot was wide. However, in the 43rd minute, Ranty Martins Soleye showed a glimpse of his brilliance when he took a sharp turn and unleashed a powerful shot to reduce the deficit.
After the break, United SC continued to try to find that elusive equalizer but couldn’t invade the opponent box with ease. Eric Brown took one of his trademark long range shots, but the opponent custodian Lalit Thapa did well to parry the danger. The best chance of the half fell to Ranty, when he failed to get hold of the ball despite being in an unmarked position after Mohammed Rafique did well to supply him the ball.
The match ended with a 2-1 scoreline in favour of Churchill Brothers SC with United SC having to taste defeat in their very first match.
