PANAJI
Rohan Rodrigues scored a fine brace as Sporting Clube de Goa eased past Vasco Sports Club 3-1 in the GFA Goa Professional League at Duler stadium, Mapusa on Monday.
Rohan struck twice in the span of two minutes in the 12th and 14th minutes to give the Flaming Oranje an early two-goal lead. Vasco’s Suman Lepcha pulled a goal back just before the breather, while Ivan Costa sealed the three points for Sporting, scoring in the 78th minute.
Sporting Clube moved to third position with 18 points from nine games, equal on points with Calangute Association. The Panaji-based team are just a point behind the leaders Dempo SC, who have also played nine games. Meanwhile, Vasco Sports Club remained rooted with three points from nine games.
In the fourth minute, captain Myron Fernandes had the first shot at goal when his cross cum shot from the left flank was cleanly collected by Vasco keeper Debasish Ghosal. In the 12th minute, Sporting Clube de Goa, who dominated the early minutes of the game finally broke the deadlock when Ivon Costa attempted a long-range shot from a distance but his low grounder was saved by Vasco keeper Denasish, who dived full towards his left. However, the ball fell to Rohan, who pounced from the right flank to put it behind the net to give Sporting Clube the lead.
In the 14th minute, Rohan doubled the lead when he was fed with a perfect through pass from the midfield where the youngster placed the ball behind the onrushing keeper. Later, Sporting Clube de Goa's Lloyd Cardozo had a shot on goal but it was saved by the keeper. However, Vasco SC pulled a goal back through Suman. Sporting led 2-1 at the break.
Sporting Clube de Goa Llyod Mascarenhas then set up a perfect ball to Ivon, who once again tried from a distance which gave no chance to the second-half substitute Luis Barreto. At the other end, Vasco’s Felix came close to scoring but his shot on target was saved by the Sporting Clube de Goa keeper.
