PANAJI
Goa Professional League champions Sporting Clube kicked off their 2024-25 campaign with a resounding 4-1 win over Pax of Nagoa in the Final Qualifiers of the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy at Duler Stadium on Monday.
This emphatic victory places Sporting Clube in a commanding position with three points. Their final group fixture against CD Salgaocar requires just a draw to advance to the next round. CD Salgaocar, on the other hand, find themselves in a must-win situation after a goalless draw with Nagoa in their opening match.
Sporting Clube's goals came from Francisco Fernandes, Dhiraj Chouhan, Dattaraj Gaonkar, and Doyal Alves. Beneston Barretto netted a consolation goal for Pax of Nagoa.
From the outset, Sporting Clube dominated the attacking third. In the 19th minute, Dattaraj Gaonkar’s pinpoint pass found Francisco Fernandes, who unleashed a stunning long-range strike to put Sporting ahead. Riding the wave of momentum, they doubled their lead shortly after. A chaotic goalmouth scramble following a well-executed corner saw Dhiraj Chouhan react quickest, slotting home to make it 2-0 before halftime.
The second half saw more of the same relentless pressure from Sporting Clube. In the 44th minute, Gaonkar’s tenacity paid off as he dispossessed a Nagoa defender and calmly finished to extend the lead. Just two minutes later, Doyal Alves added his name to the scoresheet, further cementing Sporting Clube’s dominance. Nagoa managed a late consolation goal through Beneston Barretto, but it was too little, too late. Sporting Clube’s defense held firm, securing a comprehensive 4-1 victory.
With this win, Sporting Clube is on the verge of advancing, needing just a draw against CD Salgaocar in their final group match.
SCOREBOX: PAX OF NAGOA 1 (Beneston Barretto 79') lost to SPORTING CLUBE 4 (Francisco Fernandes 19', Dhiraj Chouhan 32', Dattaraj Gaonkar 44', Doyal Alves 46')
