Churchill too good for Punjab cops; Barreto nets winner for Bagan

Displaying brilliant combination and ball control, Zee Churchill Brothers drubbed Punjab Police 3-0 in a sixth National Football League match in Jallandhar on Sunday.

The winners led 1-0 at half-time. Two of the three goals scored by them came from penalty conversion, when Punjab Police defender Gurinder Pal Singh handled the ball in the danger zone twice.

The match started on a pacy note and the teams tried their best to score in the first 20 minutes. Churchill Brothers got the breakthrough in the 24th minute of first half when a Yusie Yukubu cross from the right flank was connected into the goal by Saley Abdul Ganiyu.

Punjab Police tried hard to find an equaliser but a counter move by Churchill Brothers saw their defender Gurinder handling a ball in the penalty area, prompting the referee to award a spot-kick. Churchil's Wilson Noel made no mistake to put his side 2-0 ahead, in the 54th minute.

In the 68th minute, Churchil got their second penalty after Gurinder handled the ball and Shaiza Somatai converted to seal the fate of Punjab Police.

This was the second consecutive defeat for Punjab Police, who had earlier lost to East Bengal 1-3.

For the Goa champions, it was their second victory following a 2-1 victory over JCT Mills.

Last year runners-up Mohun Bagan defeated reigning champions East Bengal 1-0 and earned three points from their second round NFL match at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata on Sunday.

The all-important goal was scored by Brazilian Jose Ramirez Barreto in the 26th minute of play.

East Bengal, who had to play with ten players in last 22 minutes after referee K Shankar of Tamil Nadu gave marching orders to substitute Ranjan Dey, were unable to equalise due to poor markmanship of their forwards and gutsy keeping by Bagan custodian Rajat Ghosh Dastidar.

Bagan's goal was a majestic effort by Barreto, who despatched a stiff volley, which beat the outstretched hands of East Bengal keeper Sangram Mukherjee.

The goal was a beauty. Barreto, facing his goal, sent a powerful volley in after Seriki Abdullateef had chested down a James Singh cross from the right. The on-the-turn shot baffled East Bengal defenders Dipak Mondal and Ghanian recruit Musha.

Play got tense and as many as six players, three from each side, were booked by referee Shankar.