MAPUSA: Sporting Clube de Goa came all guns blazing with Victorino Fernandes their weapon of choice as the striker netted a fine hat-trick in the first half which helped the Panjim-outfit trounce Calangute Association 3-0 in GFA’s Goa Professional League round four football match, at Duler stadium, here, on Sunday.
Sporting Clube have now collected five points and are in the fifth position in the standings while their opponent is in the ninth spot with just a point.
The hat-trick made Victorino the league’s top scorer with five goals.
The overwhelming Sunday crowd witnessed a transformed Sporting Clube as their Spaniard coach Oscar Bruzon handed Victorino his first start. It took The Flaming Oranje just four minutes to take the lead.
Rahul Kumar sent in a perfect long ball and Victorino controlled it skillfully before slotting past rival custodian Gerard D’Mello.
As the match progressed, Sporting Clube maintained their tempo. Soon, they doubled the lead in the 12th minute as Victorino outpaced his markers to finish off a precise pass by medio Beevan D’Mello.
Calangute Association were off-balance after conceding two quick goals. Coach Gavin Araujo tried to inspire his boys but it was too late after Victorino secured his hat-trick just after the half hour mark.
Calangute did come close to scoring but Bazileo Rego’s cross was headed over the crossbar by Gopi Gad.
Just before the lemon break, Mauvin Borges could join the party but the young strikers fierce shot went wide after Victorino did the spade work.
Changing over, the match settled into a familiar pattern but Sporting Clube set back and relaxed.
There was a high drama in the 75th minute, after Oscar was asked to leave the technical area, following an off-side protest with the fourth official.
