Hindustan Eagles outclassed AGORC 5-2 in the St. Joseph’s-Chennai Football Association senior division league here on Wednesday. Trailing 2-0, Eagles came back strongly through a hat-trick from Nidubuisi, popularly known in the I-league circuit as ND Opara.
The first half belonged to former champion AGORC, which scored two goals within 10 minutes through Gilbert and Raegan. Eagles pulled one back through Opara, playing his first season in the city, who scored off a penalty after Ezhilarasan brought down Rojit Singh.
Eagles made it 2-2 after a cross from Parthiban from the right saw defender Edison attempting to clear the ball, but unfortunately for AG’s it went right into the net.
Eagles were a delight to watch in the second session, attacking with regularity through Opara’s speed and striking prowess. The Nigerian, surprisingly, missed a penalty in the early minutes of the second half.
But, he made amends by chesting down a cross from Shine John and placing it home. Opara struck again in injury-time, driving one powerfully into the net. Babatunde Ayomide Badmus headed the fifth and final goal to complete the agony for AGs.
The results:
Senior div.: Hindustan Eagles 5 (ND Opara 33, 54, 91, Parthiban 47, Babatunde 95) bt AGORC 2 (Gilbert, Raegan).
I div.: SD Somasundaram 1 (Saran Kumar 81) bt Challengers Union 0.
QUOTES:
Robin Charles: We worked from the wings and it paid off. Our bench strength is good, and it helped us too.
P. Muthu (Manager), in the absence of coach Jestus Antony: Our defence crumbled. I think we relied too much on Raegan.
