Date:05/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/05/stories/2008020554261800.htm

Sport - Football

Viva Kerala loses again

Principal Correspondent

— Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup

Churchill Brothers captain Okolie Onyeka Odafe (jersey No. 10) tackles Viva Kerala’s D. Ebin Rose.

KOZHIKODE: Viva Kerala’s woes continue in the ONGC I-League. The Kochi-based club was beaten 3-1 by Churchill Brothers at the Corporation Stadium here on Monday and is moving closer to relegation.

Viva is lying second from the bottom with 12 points from 15 games, with just three games left.

With this win, Churchill has taken its tally to 29 points, just one point behind the leader, Dempo, which, however, has played a game less than the Goans. Odafe Onyeka Okolie, the amazingly consistent Nigerian striker, was once again the star for Churchill.

He scored twice and has now 19 goals under his belt. The skipper was also named Man of the Match.

Churchill’s third goal was netted by Mboyo Iyomi; the Congolese forward has taken his personal tally to 11. For Viva, the hard-working C.S. Saleel was the scorer.

Viva tried pretty hard to win against a clearly superior side, especially in the opening half, during which there never was a dull moment, as both the sides played some enterprising, attacking football.

First blood

Okolie drew the first blood in the 12th minute, putting the ball past an advancing Viva ’keeper M.V. Nelson, after being fed by Thang Paite down the left.

Viva equalised nine minutes later as Salil, who received an excellent cross by James Singh from the right, dribbled past a couple of Churchill defenders and foxed the custodian Vinay Singh.

The Goan side regained the lead in the 39th minute, as Okolie, from close, drove powerfully in the through ball from Reisangmi Vashum.

Viva’s hopes died in the 84th minute, when Mboyo headed home a splendid square cross from Naoba Singh.