Late goal helps Sreenidi Warriors draw against Churchill Brothers in I-League Championship

Pape Gassama opened the scoring for the hosts in the 29th minute, while David Castañeda equalised from the penalty spot in the 12th minute of additional time at the end of the second half

Hyderabad: Sreenidi Deccan FC settled for a one-all draw against Churchill Brothers FC in a Round 20 fixture of the I-League Championship at the Raia Panchayat Ground in Goa on Sunday.

Pape Gassama opened the scoring for the hosts in the 29th minute, while David Castañeda equalised from the penalty spot in the 12th minute of additional time at the end of the second half.

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Assistant coach Ishant Singh fielded an unchanged starting eleven, and it was the hosts who began the game with more intent, dominating possession from the outset. The first opportunity came in the 2nd minute when an effort from the hosts was well saved by the goalkeeper Aryan Lamba. The Deccan Warriors created their first chance in the 27th minute when Abhishek’s cross found David inside the box, but his effort went wide of the target.

A couple of minutes later, the hosts broke the deadlock as Pape Gassama found the back of the net with a strike from outside the box.

Sreenidi Deccan suffered another setback when Brandon Vanlalremdika was forced off due to injury, with Lalchungnunga coming on as his replacement. The remainder of the first half saw little action, and the hosts went into the break with a 1-0 lead.

The second half began with Roly Bonevacia replacing Ajay Chhetri. The Deccan Warriors had an early opportunity when David attempted a bicycle kick inside the box, but his effort went wide. The second half remained largely uneventful until added time, when Rafiq Aminu missed a chance to double the lead for the hosts.

In the final minute of the game, Lalromawia was brought down inside the box, and David Castañeda converted from the penalty spot to secure a late equaliser for the Deccan Warriors.

Sreenidi Deccan FC will now travel to face Gokulam Kerala FC at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode on March 30.