DULER
A brace by Victorino Fernandes enabled Sporting Clube de Goa register a 2-1 win over Goan Football Club in the 12th round match of Goa Professional League organised by GFA, here on Wednesday.
In an ill-tempered match witnessed by a sizeable crowd, Sporting players received four yellow cards and a red card, while Goan FC saw six of their players receiving the bookings, from referee Meckenzyl Silveira. All the goals came in the second session of play with Victorino Fernandes netting a brace for Sporting, while Hayden Fernandes pulled a goal back, for Goan FC.
Flaming Oranje are back on top of the league table after today’s encounter, with 24 points from 10 matches, while Goan FC stay on 11 points from 9 matches.
A better performance was expected from the Goan Football Club colts with the return of Liston Colaco, Lainunsiama, Hayden Fernandes and U-17 India goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz in the starting line-up. However, Sporting Clube de Goa continued their winning run as their coach Mateus Costa brought in three changes in his starting line-up fielding Alesh Sawant, Girish Naik and Abiola Afuwape. In the very 1st minute, Nigerian Abiola Afuwape snatched a ball from Young Gaurs defender Jonathan Cardozo and tried to find Victorino in the box, but the striker was late to get hold of the ball.
At the other end, a fierce strike by Hayden Fernandes rebounded off the goal post with Sporting goalkeeper Ozen Silva beaten. As the match progressed, Sporting’s Daryl Costa moved inside the penalty box from the right flank and drilled home a power-packed right-footer from an acute angle which was cleared by goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz for a corner.
On resumption of play, Young Gaurs goalkeeper Mohammad came up with two out-of-the-blue saves in the 48th and 49th minute, as he blocked two fierce shots from both the flanks by Nigerian Abiola Afuwape for corners.
However Young Gaurs goalkeeper could do very little to stop Sporting striker Victorino Fernandes from scoring, as he dribbled past two of rival defenders and sent a low shot into the goal.
Goan FC coach Clifford Miranda brought on striker Aaren D’Silva from the bench for Krishna Pandit to further strengthen the attack. In the 74th minute, Sporting’s Peter Carvalho was sent off by referee Meckenzyl Silveira for second caution. Down by a man, Flaming Oranje spirit was not dampened as they scored their second goal. Victorino Fernandes collecting a through pass from Daryl Costa, moved inside the 18-yard box and coolly placed the ball to the far corner of the goal with goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz beaten for
second time. Goan FC reduced the margin in the five minutes of added time, with Hayden Fernandes’ 25-yard strike finding the top corner of the goal.
