ITI rally to hold Zee Churchill

Indian Telephone Industries, Bangalore, rallied commendably to hold Goa league champions Zee Churchill Brothers to a 1-1 draw in an exciting match in the sixth edition of the National Football League at the Nehru stadium in Goa on Saturday.

Both the goals were scored in the second half.

Zee Churchill, who had a better share of the exchanges and scoring chances in the first half, took the lead in the 48th minute through their captain Rocky Barreto. He volleyed home off a cross from defender Rajesh Meeti from the left.

ITI retaliated, and three minutes later restored parity through Kenneth Onu, who ran through the rival defence before sending an angular shot to the far post.

Zee Churchill, who drew their first match, have seven points from three matches.

For ITI, this was their third successive draw and now have three points from as many matches.

Both teams played attacking game right from start. Zee Churchill, who held upper hand in midfield in the initial stages, could have taken the lead in the eight minute through a move from the left by Tejinder Kumar. He lobbed the ball to Saley Ganiyu Abdul, who in turn passed to Peter Mascarenhas, who, however, shot over from close.

Churchill had better scoring chances but their strikers failed to capitalise and the absence of Yakubu was felt. They suffered an early setback as their dependable stopper back Mahesh Gawali had to leave the field due to injury. His exit saw their defence showing signs of cracking, as Kenneth Onu and George Ekeh strived hard to pierce through.

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