Bilal khan

Tilak Maidan Vasco: A late winner by Eli Sabia helped Sreenidi Deccan beat Churchill Brothers at the Tilak Maidan on Sunday, the late goal keeping their dreams of a first I-League title intact, even as they trail far behind Mohammedan Sporting on the points table.

In a fairly tempered start, it was Sreenidi Deccan who controlled most of the tempo, their passing and midfield gile leaving Churchill’s enforcers under pressure. In a series of set pieces early in the game, Sreenidi showed their aerial threat, imposing themselves on a fairly flaccid Churchill defence.

The first goal duly, and deservedly, arrived in the 11th minute, David Castaneda heading in from a mere two yards from Rilwan Hassan’s cross from the right. Despite Castaneda taking the applause, it was the latter’s inch-perfect cross that really set up the simple finish.