Margao: There’s nothing more you could have asked for from Churchill Brothers FC on their debut in the Indian Super League (ISL).




A team that secured entry late into the top tier ISL, one which started pre-season training just three weeks ago, with two foreigners joining last week, and two of them yet to obtain their visas. Yet, Churchill did not give up or appear to just go through the formalities of their ISL opener. Instead, they fought and won, against Mumbai City FC at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Sunday.




In all aspects, Churchill’s 2-1 win against the former ISL champions, now coached by the experienced Spaniard Manolo Marquez , is an encouraging start for the Goan side.




After a quiet first half, the Goan side broke the deadlock in the 57th minute with a stunning header by substitute Gourav Bora , while their trusted Colombian frontman Sebastian Gutierrez provided the second with a sublime finish, with three minutes left on the clock.




Mumbai, who largely dominated the first session, did pull one back in added time after Sergio Llamas converted a penalty, but that goal proved too little too late.




“I am very happy because the boys deserved this win,” said a delighted coach Dimitris Dimitriou . “It’s been an amazing month, four weeks of hard training, about 37-38 sessions. We played against a very good opponent today, with a very good coach. In the first half, we were not good. We wanted to see how the opponent plays. But later, when we wanted to play our game, and with some changes that we made tactically, we won the game.”




For Mumbai, it was a night to forget for the experienced Manolo on his return to Fatorda. He coached FC Goa for three previous seasons and surely has many lovely memories from Fatorda, where he won his last trophy, the Super Cup.




Mumbai certainly had the upper hand in the first half in terms of ball possession, shots on target and attempts. Manolo was looking for a strong start in his first match in-charge at Mumbai. The visitors simply didn’t allow the opponents to settle down and took control of the proceedings.




Striker Wilmar Jordan came close in the initial moments when his effort deflected off Churchill centre-back Melroy Assisi and missed the target narrowly.




Soon, Jordan came up with a delightful cross for onrushing Brandon Fernandes, whose rasping volley fell straight into the hands of Churchill custodian Abdul Kadir.




Mumbai were enterprising on the right flank where PN Noufal moved dangerously, but, at times, his teammates couldn’t reach his deliveries.




At the other end, Churchill forwards Wayde Leekay and Sebastian showed glimpses of what they are capable of together, but none of their efforts troubled Mumbai keeper TP Rehenesh in the opening half.




Churchill were playing with an all-Indian back-four in the second half after Alexandre Yeoule was replaced with Gaurav.




The home team intensified their attacks and Dimitris’ move paid off in the 57th minute when Gaurav leaped highest above Mumbai captain Akash Mishra to head in a floater from Anil Gaonkar.




The stadium erupted in joy as Churchill left Mumbai stunned with the opener.




Churchill tried to build on the momentum and almost doubled their lead a minute later when Wayde unleashed a powerful right-footer that came off the horizontal bar.




Mumbai, the two-time ISL winners, tried hard to claw their way back but were unsuccessful.




With three minutes left to be played, it was yet another substitution by Dimitriou that worked wonders. Stendly Fernandes had just come on for Trijoy Dias and pressed hard. The midfielder played a nice one-two with Sebastian that allowed the Colombian time and space inside the box to finish neatly.




In added time, Churchill’s Wahengbam Luwang was adjudged to have brought down Akash during a corner by Brandon. Llamas then stepped up for the spot kick and reduced the margin.




The goal did nothing to sour the mood as fans celebrated in the stands when the final whistle was blown. Churchill next face defending champions East Bengal on Sunday.