Flaming Oranje’s early lead and second-half goals seal confident victory at Duler Stadium
PANAJI
Sporting Clube de Goa eased past Calangute Association 3-1 in the Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium on Saturday.
The Flaming Oranje made an electric start, taking the lead in the 3rd minute through Sushil. Biswa Darjee’s pinpoint cross from the right flank was met with a towering header from Sushil, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
Calangute, however, responded swiftly, equalizing in the 13th minute. Akash Sanadi showcased excellent ball control in midfield, weaving through defenders before delivering a precise low cross to Kenrick, who calmly slotted home from close range.
Sporting Clube nearly restored their advantage later in the first half when Doyal Alves unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box, but the crossbar came to Calangute’s rescue.
After the break, coach Climax Lawrence introduced Vikram Venktachalam to bolster Sporting Clube’s attack, and the move paid dividends. In the 65th minute, Biswa Darjee once again proved instrumental, whipping in a sublime cross from the left flank that found Doyal Alves at the near post. Alves met it with a precise header, guiding the ball into the top corner to make it 2-1.
Calangute came close to an equalizer moments later, with Pandurang connecting to a cross from the right, but Sporting’s goalkeeper produced a brilliant fingertip save to preserve the lead.
Sporting Clube sealed the game late on when Dattaraj intercepted a wayward pass in midfield and delivered a perfectly weighted through ball to Vikram Venktachalam. The substitute showed composure as he dribbled into the box and finished with a clinical low drive past the goalkeeper, securing all three points for his side.
