MARGAO (Goa): Former champions Churchill Brothers claimed a dramatic stoppage-time 2-1 victory over Aizawl FC in the I-League on Saturday.
Dawda Ceesay broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute before Paul Ramfangzauva cancelled it out in the last minute of regulation time but Willis Plaza scored the winning goal in the fourth minute of stoppage-time as the hosts claim three points.
Fernando Tavares made wholesale changes to his previous eleven which suffered a stoppage-time defeat at home to Chennai City.
Kalif Alhassan was reinstated to the line-up with Robert Primus also returning at the back. Mapuia started on the left with Hafis Mohammedali on the other flank while Willis Deon Plaza settled for a place on the bench.
Aizawl coach Stanley Rozario sported an unchanged line-up, hoping to reap similar fruit as they did against TRAU.
The heat map of the goalless first half could be traced mostly in midfield with either side struggling to weave clear chances on goal.
Churchill did knock on the door on a couple of occasions in quick succession. A deep cross from the Churchill half found Mapuia, who did well to run out wide before playing a lovely give and go with Mohammedali.
After having made enough space for himself, Mapuia struck towards goal but his peach of an effort rattled the woodwork.
Churchill kept possession with Dawda Ceesay on the ball, trying to make the most of their newfound ascendency. His weighted cross took a deflection off Ponif Vaz before falling to Adolfo Pedro, but the chance went begging.
The second half, however, turned out to be an epitome of drama.
It didn’t seem that way initially after the half had resumed. It was unfolding in a seemingly similar manner as the first but the ripples of chaos arrived in the 73rd minute.
Mapuia went on a fishing trip with the ball at his feet, having made a wonderful solo run but took too much time to get his shot away when he was inside the 18-yard box.
With Joseph Adjei having thwarted the Manipuri winger’s momentary hazard, Aizawl seemed to have averted danger and were playing out from the back. (Source: AIFF)
