TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Prayag United came from a goal down to register a 2-1 win over Sporting Clube de Goa in a 16th round I-League match at Duler Stadium, here, Saturday. Sporting led 1-0 at half time.
Flavio Lopes TIMELY TACKLE: Prayag defender Bello Rasaq tackles Sporting’s Seiya Sugishita inside the box in an I-League match at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, Saturday. |
Sporting missed the services of regulars Dawson Fernandes and Samananda Singh due to an ankle and hamstring injuries respectively. Central defender Keita Boubacar staged a comeback after the suspension.
The hosts started on the front foot with Kalu Ogba’s powerful volley from the edge of the box going inches wide in the third minute.
Two minutes later, Sporting’s Adil Khan set up Japanese striker Seiya Sugishita but his rasping shot was blocked by Prayag’s Lalkamal Bhomwick.
At the other end, Prayag’s Carlos Hernandez sent a good ball to Ranty Martins inside the danzer zone but the latter’s powerful grounder hit the side netting in the 10th minute.
Sporting maintained good ball possession and surged ahead in the 24th minute from a set-piece. Pratesh Shirodkar was brought down outside the box by Prayag defender Bello Rasaq. Referee Umesh Bora awarded a free-kick and Pratesh found Kalu outside the box and the last named unleashed a powerful drive which deflected off a Prayag defender and went past rival goalkeeper Sangram Mukherejee.
Stung by the set back, Prayag tried to rearrange in search of the equalizer with Sankar Oraon sending a well measured ball in the 30th minute to Hernandez outside the box, whose venomous shot was tipped over by Sporting goalkeeper Ashok Singh.
Just before the lemon break, Lalkamal was cautioned by the referee for his dangerous tackle on Kalu.
After resumption, Prayag came strongly and took advantage of a defensive lapse between Keita and goalkeeper Ashok in the 47th minute while Ranty Martins sneaked in to slot past Askok for the equalizer.
Two minutes later, Prayag’s Ranty could have scored his second but his header went inches wide off a Deepak Mandal cross.
Sporting hit back and Prayag’s Bello came up with a timely tackle inside the box to deny Seiya a clear chance at the goal in the 63rd minute.
Bello then converted a free-kick in the 77th minute as his curling shot went flying over the Sporting wall and entered the rival nylons to make it 2-1 for Prayag.
With four minutes for the final whistle, Sporting missed a glorious chance to level as substitute Victorino Fernandes’ close range bicycle shot sailed over the crossbar.
Prayag’s Bello Rasaq was adjudged the Most Valuable Player.
After taking the lead in the first session, Sporting coach Oscar Bruzon was disappointed with his team’s performance in the second half. “The team played to a plan and I was very happy in the first half but defensive lapses in the second half let us down, for which we have to work very hard in preparation for the next game. Striker Dawson Fernandes’ injury is a big concern as it might keep him out for 15 days”.
Prayag coach Eelco Schattorie was unhappy with the organisation after his team were kept waiting over 20 minutes, yesterday, due to the unavailability of the Curtorim ground as they then had to practice at the Chowgule ground in the scorching heat. “The preparation for this match was poor, we were kept waiting at Curtorim ground as a match was in progress there. We had then to shift to Chowgule ground in Margao in the scorching heat.”
“The first half was disappointing and I told the boys that they have to put more pressure on Sporting in order to equalize. The equalizer came soon after the restart which boosted our confidence. I am happy with the three points and I think our fitness levels have also improved. With a long way to go for the league to draw to a close, Prayag will definitely challenge for the title,” said Schattorie.
Prayag are in the fifth position in the standings with 23 points from 15 matches while Sporting are in the 10th position with 13 points from 14 matches.
