Sunday, November 9, 2008

Churchill Bros. bear the brunt of a resurgent Bagan!

It was Dempo last week and now Churchill, Karim's boys are doing it the hard way! Full 6 points against the two of the tougher teams in the I league and keeping a clean sheet on both the occasions. Nothing short of brilliance! A 10 men side against Dempo, a Barreto less side against Churchill...yet two wins! Is the Karim Magic back? That remains to be seen until the end of the league(a sceptic's opinion)...but surely the two wins against Dempo and Churchill have come as something more than an energy drink for Karim's boys and their admirers... Bagan started off today against Churchill at the Yuva Bharati Krirangan, with Bhaichung and Lalampuia upfront since Barreto was out with two bookings. The Bagan defense seemed much experienced featuring, Manju, Dipak, Odafe and Habibur. Churchill boasted Odafa Okili and Karim had Odafe to 'tackle' him who kept him in and "goal tight" container. Bagan drew first blood in the 14 minute courtesy a lovely goal from Lalampuia. Marcos lofted a ball over the head of India international defender, Gourmangi Singh to Lalam, who pushed the ball past the advancing Churchill goalie. Churchill was not going to make life easy for the Bagan defenders and the Bagan defense showed some much desired character. Though the defense did seem desperate at times, yet confidence - is the key factor that the Bagan defense has acquired after the Dempo match. It did seem that Sangram was having a few moments of misunderstanding with the defense, but Manju stood defiant against the Churchill attack and protected the goal. After the match when Karim was questioned about his "weak" defence, the Bagan coach fumed at the reporter as he reminded that his so called weak defense has maintained a clean sheet against not only Dempo, but today also against a side which has scored 12 goals so far, Churchill Brothers! When questioned about Marcos's fitness and pace, his performance today should silence the critics, as he earned the Man of the Match today!

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