Goa Pro League: Churchill Brothers beat Dempo SC 1-0 in opener

The 2013 Goa Professional League kicked-off with I-League champions Churchill Brothers SC winning 1-0 against rivals Dempo SC at the Duler Ground in Mapusa. The winner was scored by India midfielder Lenny Rodrigues in the 15th minute with a brilliant right footed strike from outside the box.

Both the teams started their first official game of the season on a cautious note and till the 15th minute. Nothing much happened until Lenny Rodrigues scored the goal, which would remain the only one of the match.

Churchill Brothers looked the better team during the first half and the crowd which had a mix of both the club supporters were seen egging on the two teams and even appreciating ‘good play’ by the opposition.

Churchill Brothers goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya had a good day on his return under the Red Machines bar, and in the 36th minute made a brilliant diving save by to deny Roberto Mendes Silva a goal against his former team.

The match turned a bit physical after the break and Henry Antchouet got his marching orders for a second bookable offense in the 74th minute, but it remained 1-0 for Churchill Brothers.

A perfect start for the Red Machines in the Goa Pro League. A victory against a formidable opponent like Dempo SC should have a positive effect on the team.

MATCH STATS

Dempo SC 0-1 (0-1) Churchill Brothers SC

Goals: 0-1 Lenny Rodrigues (15′)

DempoSubhasish Roy Chowdhury – Shallum Pires, Simon Colosimo (Prathamesh Maulingkar), Creson Antao, Debabrata Roy, Nickson Castanha (Sheikh Jewel Raja), Godwin Diogo Franco, Tunard Fernandes (Peter Carvalho), Clifford Miranda, Roberto Mendes Silva, Jeje Lalpekhlua

Churchill BrothersArindam Bhattacharya – Yumnam Raju Mangang, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Sanjay Balmachu, Elvis, Alesh Sawant (Anthony Barbosa), Lenny Rodrigues, Ashley Fernandes (Micky Fernandes), Amandeep Singh (Joe), Jaison Vales, Henry Arnaud Antchouet Rebienot

RefereeParmanand Mandrekar