I-League 2023-24: Churchill Brothers Thrash TRAU, Shillong Lajong Edge Out Delhi FC

Churchill Brothers Goa got back to winning ways putting on a rock-solid performance to down TRAU FC at home on Wednesday. The defeat was TRAU’s fifth of the season and leaves them at the foot of the table and in danger of facing relegation.

TRAU had a chance in the first minute of the game, Abraham Okyere going one-on-one against Subhashish Roy Chowdhury only for the stopper to make a brilliant save. The tide shifted almost immediately and Churchill started dominating the play, their piercing runs on the right flank causing lots of trouble to the TRAU backline. TRAU’s defenders struggled to handle Lamgoulen Semkholun’s ability and speed on the ball and were constantly forced to rely instead on clearing crosses inside the box.

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And so, it was a surprise that when the breakthrough came it came via the other flank. TRAU headed clear a cross from the left, and the ball fell perfectly into the path of the onrushing Richard Costa at the top of the box. To Costa’s credit, he displayed calm where others may have chosen to shoot, laying the ball perfectly into the path of Ricardo Dichiara inside the box. The Argentinian turned smoothly, swivelled and curled the ball with his left into the net. Once again TRAU had let in a goal in the first quarter of the game.

Martin Chaves’ creativity in midfield ensured that Churchill kept churning the ball smoothly even in periods of transition. They got their reward in the 33rd minute, doubling their lead, Costa this time the scorer, heading in Anil Rama Gaonkar’s brilliant cross to the far post into the net.

TRAU’s second-half showing was much improved, as they pushed hard to get a goal and force a close game. Despite repeated attacks and a higher quantum of possession, their quality in the final third let them down. Louis Ogana’s penalty in the 69th minute extinguished any hope the Manipur-based club had, and Emiliano Torre’s volley from a brilliant Lalremruata delivery in the 83rd minute added the gloss to a deserved victory.

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Shillong Beat Delhi FC

Shillong Lajong FC earned their second straight win in the I-League with a hard-fought 2-1 triumph over Delhi FC at the SSA Stadium.

In the battle of two promoted sides, Senegalese striker Karim Samb opened the scoring for Shillong Lajong in the 24th minute. Delhi FC got back on level terms in the 60th minute through Gaurav Rawat, who netted two goals in his side’s sensational 5-1 win over Aizawl last week. However, local boy Phrangki Buam ensured a win for the hosts with his 82nd-minute strike.