Angel Berlanga scores on debut
TEAM HERALD
MAPUSA: Sporting Clube de Goa thumped ten-man Salgaocar Football Club 2-0 in a Round 18 I-League football match at Duler Stadium, here, Monday. There was no score at half time.
With striker Dawson Fernandes and midfielder Joseph Pereira out due to injuries, Sporting’s coach Oscar Bruzon started with Victorino Fernandes upfront and new signing Angel Berlanga supporting Kalu Ogba in the midfield.
Flavio Lopes PERFECT DEBUT: Sporting Clube de Goa’s Angel Berlanga scores his debut goal against Salgaocar in a Round 18 I-League football match at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, Monday. |
After impressive debut goals by Brazilian Josimar Da Silva and Nigerian Gabriel Obatola that helped Salgaocar thump Mohun Bagan 2-0 in the previous round, coach David Booth started with the same duo in the striking role with Singaporean John Wilkinson in the midfield. Luciano Sobrosa recovered from his injury and made it to the bench.
Salgaocar started on the front foot and Francis Fernandes’ corner kick in the first minute found Wilkinson, whose powerful right-footer was blocked by Sporting goalkeeper Bruno Colaco but the ball fell to Josimar, who could not finish from hand-shaking distance as Bruno came up with a quick reflex.
Two minutes later, Sporting threatened the rival goal after Rowllin Borges essayed a long ball to Victorino, inside the box, but rival goalkeeper Karanjit Singh made a timely collection.
Salgaocar maintained good ball possession and in the 10th minute captain Rocus Lamare found unmarked Obatola in the danger zone. The latter, had all the time to bulge the rival nylons but instead ballooned over with only Bruno at his mercy.
At the other end, Sporting came close to open the scoring but Rowllin’s beautiful volley went inches wide off a cross from Kalu in the 12th minute.
The Flaming Oranje slowly started building up momentum and Victorino’s powerful shot was blocked by Karanjit in the 15th minute.
The teams had their share of chances after play was restricted in the midfield at the half-hour mark.
Thereafter, Salgaocar’s Agustin Fernandes sent a long ball to Josimar that sailed past the rival defenders but the Brazillian failed to make a neat connection.
Subsequently, Salgaocar’s Nicolao Colaco crossed to Obatola, whose shot was saved by Bruno from hand-shaking distance in the 38th minute.
After enjoying the lion’s share of ball possession, Salgaocar strikers were off-colour as the teams headed for the breather.
After resumption, Sporting were hungry to claw their way back in the match. Pratesh Shirodakr combined with substitute Stephene Barreto to set up Victorino in the danger zone, but Karanjit parried away Victorino’s effort.
In the 58th minute, the Green Brigade was reduced to ten-man after defender Rahul Kumar received a direct red by referee A Rowan for lunging on Pratesh.
Sporting quickly took good advantage and broke the deadlock in the 60th minute off a direct free-kick by Kalu after the last named was brought down at the edge of the box by Agustin.
Seven minutes later, Sporting doubled their lead as Berlanga’s attempted cross deflected off substitute Luciano and beat Karanjit for the Spaniard’s debut goal.
Salgaocar tried hard to get back into the game but Wilkinson’s curling free-kick was tipped off by Bruno in the 72nd minute.
Sporting defenders Mathew Gonsalves, Keita Boubacar, Joyner Lourenco and Samananda Singh stood rock solid in the final quarter to leave their rivals frustrated.
Kalu Ogba was adjudged Most Valuable Player for his performance.
David Booth was very disappointed with his team’s performance in the first half after they squandered easy chances. “After controlling the game so well, the chances we missed in the first half made all the difference. We cannot miss easy chances like that and expect to stay in the game,” said the Englishmen.
On the other hand, Oscar Bruzon was delighted to take home three points. “Today was the day I saw the team apply all the work we did in the past five weeks and I’m pleased with their effort. The boys did an excellent job in all departments and now we are going to prepare for our next match against Churchill.” said the Spaniard who targets a top seven finish in the league.
Sporting move three places top in the ninth position with 17 points from as many matches.
Salgaocar drop two places to the 12th position and are on 14 points from 17 matches.
