East Bengal looked set to have notched all three points in the opening encounter of the Federation Cup but a fighting Churchill salvaged a point
East Bengal have started their Federation Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against Churchill Brothers in the opening Group A game at the Barabati stadium in Odisha on Sunday. A stunning opener from Wedson Anselme (66') was cancelled out by Ansumana Kromah (81') after a goalless first half.
The Reds and Golds opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation with Willis Plaza leading the lines and Wedson Anselme deployed behind him. Rowllin Borges and Mehtab Hossain were the central midfielders with Nikhil Poojary and Bikash Jairu deployed on the wings.
The Goans started with an all-Indian backline of Keenan Almeida, Adil Khan, Rowilson Rodrigues and Seriton Fernandes while Ansumana Kromah and Anthony Wolfe took up the attacking duties.
The first half did witness its share of chances, with neither team managing to make much of them. Still, it was East Bengal who dominated exchanges in the opening half. The first chance of the game came in the 12th minute when Willis Plaza strode into the box before getting a shot away. But Naveen Kumar was alert enough and palmed away the shot.
The Churchill shotstopper came to the rescue again Derrick Perreira's men when he had to keep out Anselme's effort in the 19th minute. A few minutes later, East Bengal 'keeper Subashish Roy Chowdhury had to make a fine save after Anthony Wolfe sprinted clear and tried to lob him.
Just past the hour mark, Willis Plaza failed to get his head to an inviting cross from Poojary and Churchill almost scored off the ensuing counter. Kromah was sent clear this time but his shot was straight at Subashish Roy Chowdhury.
Derrick Perreira took off Anthony Wolfe for Pankaj Sona in the 39th minute as the first half wound down.
Post the break, Sona gave the East Bengal defence a couple of headaches but a goal eluded the Goans. Moreover, East Bengal had to substiture Subashish Roy Chowdhury, who developed a niggle, with TP Rehenesh.
However, the opening goal came in the 66th minute after Wedson Anselme powered past three Churchill defenders and slotted home, leaving Naveen Kumar in his wake. Just as it seemed like East Bengal would hold on to that lead, Churchill fought back.
In the 81st minute, Pankaj Sona's cross from the left wing was not dealt with by the East Bengal defence and Brandon Fernandes pounced to find Kromah lurking in the box and the Liberian made no mistake in turning the ball home.
A shell shocked East Bengal could have conceded another goal but for Chesterpoul Lyngdoh indecisiveness in front of goal as the points were shared in the inaugural game of the 2017 Federation Cup.
Both teams have gained a point in the four-team Group A with two more games remaining.
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