the goan I network
DULER
Vasco Sports Club went down fighting against table toppers Sporting Clube de Goa 0-1 in a Goa Professional League match played under floodlights at Duler stadium, here on Saturday.
The Port Towners, who had lost miserably to Salgaocar FC 7-1 in their last league match, were a transformed unit and made a number of scoring attempts at the Sporting goal. Skipper Micky Fernandes had the first look at the rival goal as he controlled a pass from Schubert Pereira and latched on a powerful strike which missed the target
narrowly.
A few minutes later, Port Towners striker Schubert shot weakly from inside the penalty box into the waiting hands of Sporting keeper Ozen Silva.
Vasco winger Anil Goancar had the best chance to put them ahead in the 35th minute when he was nicely fed by Franky Oliveiro with a superb through pass but his shot went wide from inside the box.
In the added-on time of first half, Vasco custodian Suresh Lamani came to his team’s rescue as he made a diving save to collect a stinging free kick from Cajetan Fernandes.
On crossing over, Sporting were a transformed unit, making a series of attacks. Cajetan Fernandes’ free kick was superbly palmed over the post by keeper Suresh Lamani. Minutes later, Nigerian Abiola Afuwape failed to connect a long cross at the far end from Marcus Mascarenhas.
In the 68th minute, Victorino Fernandes moved upfront from the left flank almost from the centre line and, entering the penalty box, drilled a left-footer which hit the upright and rebounded into play. Finally in the 72nd minute, Marcus Mascarenhas guided the ball into the goal off a pinpoint cross from Peter Carvalho, 1-0.
