Churchill Brothers lift 35th Federation Cup

Churchill Brothers were worthy winners as the link up play between midfield and attack was exceptional and they managed to take advantage of a number of mistakes in the Sporting Goa defence.

The Flaming Oranje was missing key players in Pratesh Shirodkar and Arturo Garcia through injury. The team looked jaded having played three matches in the last five days, which included a grueling 30 minutes extra time in the semi finals just 48 hours earlier.

Churchill raced into the lead midway through the first half when Balwant Singh took advantage of a defensive error to round the Sporting Goa custodian and give his side the lead. On the half hour mark Churchill further threatened, when Shabana rattled the cross bar from 25 yards out.

Churchill came out strongly in the second session and doubled their lead when Alesh Sawant caught the Sporting Goa team ball watching and managed to sneak in at the back post to tuck home Anthony Wolfe’s cross.

As Sporting Goa moved forward to try and reduce the margin, they were caught on the break in midfield and Shabana made it 3-1 with a rasping shot after the ball was swept forward quickly.

Sporting Goa continued to rally forward and was rewarded when Ogba Kalu played a delightful through ball for Victorino Fernandes who provided an irresistible finish to pull a goal back.

With time running out Sporting Goa tried in earnest to reduce the deficit further, but it was not to be and Churchill brothers hung on for victory.