DULER
Sporting Clube de Goa took the top spot after a convincing 2-0 win over Vasco Sports Club in the Goa Professional League, at Duler Stadium, here on Thursday. Sporting striker Victorino Fernandes drew the first blood in the first half, while Abiola Afuwape came off the bench in the second period to double the score.
Sporting Clube coach Mateus Costa made three changes to his side, which won against Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim in the last match, by starting with Mauvin Borges, Glan Martins and foreign defender Sodiq Ibrahim. At the other end, Vasco coach Eban Mesquita, after having drawn the last match against Corps of Signals, also brought in three changes in his starting line-up -- wingers Clive Coelho and Anil Gaoncar along with defender Godfrey Mascarenhas.
Just a minute into the match, Sporting’s defender Sodiq sent a long ranger at the rival goal which went just past the post. A minute later, winger Brandon Gomes sent a floater to his skipper Victorino Fernandes in the box but Vasco keeper Amit Biswas came with a timely clearance. Sporting continued pressuring the rival citadel where finally in the 10th minute skipper Victorino superbly curled the ball into the back of the nets from a 20-yard free-kick to put his team ahead.
In the very next minute, Vasco should have levelled terms but striker Franky Oliveiro, having just the rival Sporting keeper Ozen at his mercy, shot into the keeper’s gloves. Vasco continued on their domination and came with a series of attacks but Sporting keeper Ozen Silva came with some good saves to keep the slate clean.
On resumption of play, referee Savio Fernandes decisions were not going in favour of the Port Towners, which left coach Eban Mesquita fuming with anger. Vasco striker Franky was booked for a minor foul, whereas the referee totally overlooked dangerous play from a Sporting player when he made a dangerous tackle on a Vasco player.
However, this did not diminish the fighting spirit from the Vasco outfit as they came close to scoring. Anil sent an excellent cross to Clive in the box but keeper Ozen cleared the ball to safety. At the other end, Nigerian striker Abiola Afuwape came on the from the bench and doubled Sporting’s lead as he directed his header from close, off Daryl’s curling cross from the left flank.
Down by two goals, Vasco coach Mesquita brought in Micky Fernandes, while also replacing Guinean midfielder Vasseba Toure with Daryl Endro. Sporting coach Costa meanwhile also made two changes in the line-up, bringing in Marcus Mascarenhas and Cajetan Fernandes, replacing Victorino and Joseph Clemente. Vasco lost a glorious chance to pull a goal back in the added-on time when Micky sent an intelligent through pass to Franky, who laid it off to substitute Beneston Barretto, who in turn set up the striker, who had just the keeper to beat. But Sporting custodian Ozen produced a brilliant save to give full three points to the Flaming Oranje.
