Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Super-sub Ndidi Chukwuma proved to be hero of the match firing in a hat-trick in Sporting Clube de Goa’s 3-1 win over Guardian Angel Sports Club, Savordem in the eighth round match of Goa Pro League match at Duler Stadium, here, on Wednesday.
Despite the final score, it was surprisingly Guardian Angel who went into the breather with a 1-0 lead.
After some midfield play, the Savordem side shot ahead in the 17th minute when Godfrey Silva flashed a cross from the right flank to unmarked Gammy Costa who finished off clinically, 1-0.
In the 25th minute, Sporting Clube came close to finding the equaliser however Ganesh Thakur saw his placing strike miss the target by a whisker.
On resumption of play, Sporting Clube coach Mateus Costa brought in his triumph card Chukwuma, which paid off in a big way for the Flaming Oranje.
In the 45th minute itself he made his first vicious attempt of the match, when latching on to a pass from Marcus, he charged into the Savordem danger zone, however keeper Jovial Coutinho came with a brilliant save to block the Nigerian in a one-to-one situation.
However, minutes later Chukwuma gave his side the precious equaliser when he jumped high above his marker, to head home Cajetan Fernandes’ corner, 1-1.
Hardly had the cheers died down, five minutes later Chukwuma struck once again to put Sporting Clube into the lead when he perfectly positioned himself to head home Cajetan’s free kick.
In the 59th minute of play, Guardian Angel received another setback as their wing back Nicolau Borges received marching orders from referee Chandrashekar Shirodkar for intentionally elbowing Marcus Marcarenhas.
Sporting Clube striker Odafa Okolie came close to further inflate the lead, however first his strike ricocheted off the side post and then his powerful shot was tipped for a corner by keeper Jovial.
After much probing, in the 75th minute Chukwuma fired in his hat-trick, giving finishing touches to Odafa’s strike.
