TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Sporting Clube de Goa’s prospects of promotion were hurt after a shocking 0-3 defeat to Maharashtra Oranje FC in I-League 2 match played at COE, Khargar, Mumbai, on Sunday.
Sporting Clube had put up an impressive show to edge past league leaders SC Bengaluru 4-3 in the last game but found it hard to replicate the form against Maharashtra Oranje.
Sporting Clube remained in the fourth position with 19 points from12 games. They take on Goan rivals Dempo SC in their next home match on April 21 and face United SC on the final match day.
SC Bengaluru are top with 24 points from 11 games, while FC Bengaluru United were stunned by United SC 5-3 but still remained in the second spot with 20 points from 12 games.
Sudeva Delhi FC are third with 20 points, while Dempo SC are below Sporting Clube with 18 points and take on Kenkre FC, on Monday.
Sporting Clube started cautiously as Maharashtra Oranje had the upper hand in the initial moments.
Sporting Clube goalkeeper Dylan Da Silva came up with a good save to deny Sanchit Singh’s promising effort.
Sporting Clube were slowly getting into their rhythm and mostly tried to attack from the right flank as Kunal Kundaikar and winger Joyson Gauncar tried to link up with Alister Anthony upfront.
However, when it looked like the Goan side were settling down, they were stunned by the home team just before the half-hour mark though a set piece.
Nitish Monde sent in a dangerous ball in off a corner and Yogesh Kadam, who was included in the starting 11 by Maharashtra Oranje head coach Augusto Da Silva, headed in the opener.
Sporting Clube were rattled to concede from the bottom-placed side and had to start all over again.
Before the break, Klusner Pereira curled in a dangerous free-kick but it missed the Sporting Clube attack as well as the rival defence and also the target narrowly.
Soon, Joyson’s close ranger was blocked by Maharashtra Oranje keeper Ravi Kumar.
Sporting Clube tried hard in the second half but were unlucky after centre-back Dhiraj Chouhan slipped and Maharashtra Oranje capitalised with Joel Colaco scoring an own-goal while trying to clear a cross in the 73rd minute.
In added time, Maharashtra Oranje scored their third through substitute Rinaldo Fernandes with a neat finish.
