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Thursday, May 03, 2007
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Big win for Churchill

Principal Correspondent

FOOTBALL / Odafe's day out

KOLKATA: Odafe Onyeka Okolie scored all four goals as Churchill Brothers drubbed Mohammedan Sporting 4-1 in the penultimate round of the 11th National Football League here at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday. Mohd. Sporting has already been relegated to the second division of the NFL.

Odafe, who had 12 goals to his name before the match, increased the count to 16, to overtake Ranti Martins Soleye of league leader Dempo SC to become the top-scorer. Incidentally, he also scored the first hat-trick of the tournament.

Sixth win

The win — sixth in the tournament — helped Churchill Brothers cement its position in the third place of the league standings. The team now has 26 points from 17 matches to inch closer to second place Mahindra United, which remained on 27 points. The latter, however, has played a match less.

Barrage of goals

The barrage of goals started in the 31st minute of the match when Odafe chested down a Vanlal Rova corner before firing home the lead for the visitor. The lead was doubled in the last minute of the first half as the Nigerian striker played a one-two-one pass with upfront colleague and compatriot George Gorrge Ekeh to clear himself for the second goal.

Odafe capped a solo effort in the 63rd minute to bring up his hat-trick. Mohammad Nizam pulled one back for Mohammedan Sporting in the 70th minute before Odafe scored his and Churchill Brothers' fourth goal.

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