Herald: Sporting Clube outsmart Vasco
Sporting Clube outwit Vasco
Herald of the team
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MAPUSA: Sporting Clube de Goa recorded a convincing 3-1 win over Vasco SC in the Goa Professional Football League here at Duler Stadium today.
With today’s win, Sporting have 18 points from nine games, while Vasco remain at the bottom with just three points from also nine games.
It was the Flaming Oranje who dictated the conditions in the opening 25 minutes as Rohan Rodrigues scored a brace. Former international Cavin Lobo managed to score a goal for Port Towners in the 33rd minute.
Sporting’s Lloyd Mascarenhas worked tirelessly in midfield. He snagged a midfield pass and sent a stiff 25-yard grounder in the 12th minute. Vasco’s goalkeeper Debasish Ghosal fumbled with his collection and the oncoming Rohan Rodrigues slammed the ball in the goal.
Sporting doubled the lead just two minutes later. Rohan Rodrigue collected a through ball from Stendly Fernandes, moved into the box and placed the ball in the far corner of the net.
In the 17th minute, Stend almost scored Sporting’s third goal, but his hot-blooded shot from close range was blocked by keeper Debasish at the expense of a corner.
The Port Towners regrouped and put enormous pressure on the rival citadel. Cavin Lobo conceded a floater from skipper Francisco Fernandes, who got past a host of defenders, moved into the 18-yard box and sent in a low cross on goal, but it was cleared by a Sporting defender.
Vasco managed to shorten the margin in the 33rd minute. Cavin Lobo combined with Ganesh Thakur and sent a stiff ground ball past Sporting’s U20 keeper Bhaskar Jalmi as he entered the 18-yard box.
Indeed, Vasco was unlucky not to equalize in the 41st minute. Cavin found Ganesh Thakurinside in the danger zone and the latter’s weak shot swept past goalkeeper Bhaskar. However, Sporting’s stopper-back Alton Vaz managed a stunning clearance from the goal-line.
Vasco gave everything in search of an equaliser. However, an intelligent through ball from Ganesh Thakur to Cavin Lobo was intercepted in time by the Sporting defense at the expense of a corner.
After minutes of tussling in midfield, Sporting scored their third goal in the 77th minute, when a 25-yard striker from Ivon Costa crashed into the far corner of the goal, beating keeper Luis Barreto with a handdown.
In the closing stages, a shot from Odili Chidi was blocked by Sporting keeper Bhasker and later a strong header from Khrawkupar Tamu sailed over the bar from a Cavin Lobo free-kick.
Sporting Clube de Goa’s Rohan Rodrigues received the Player of the Match award from GFA Executive Committee member Cosme Oliveira.