Margao: Churchill Brothers kept themselves afloat for a knock-out round berth in the AFC Cup after playing out a 1-1 draw against Persipura Jayapura of Indonesia in their penultimate group match on Tuesday.
After a barren first half, Persipura Jayapura, who held better ball possession in both halves, took the lead in the 77th minute through Boaz Solossa, which was cancelled by Churchill Brothers Balwant Singh in the 84th minute in the Group E match played here.
Churchill, who kept the pressure on until the dying minutes, have themselves to blame for not winning the match as Balwant missed two golden opportunities to score the winner.
The draw takes Persipura Jayapura into the next round as they raised their tally to 11 points from five matches with a match against Home United of Singapore in hand.
Churchill Brothers took their tally to seven points from five matches – the same as that of Home United – but are placed second on head-to-head count.
The group toppers and runners-up qualify for the pre-quarterfinals.
The visitors broke the deadlock in the 76th minute when substitute Ferinando Pahabol relayed the ball to Boaz Solossa, who tapped in for the lead.
Churchill retaliated and found the equaliser seven minutes later when Balwant shot home in a one-on-one situation with the goalkeeper off a through pass from Anthony Wolfe. His first shot was saved by rival keeper Yoo Jae Hoon but found the net from the rebound. (PTI)
