TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Sporting Clube de Goa’s Nigerian Kalu Ogba took the lead to put up a dynamic performance in the second session to thrash Shillong Lajong FC 5-1 in round 15 Airtel I-League, at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, Saturday.
The teams were locked 1-1 at half time.
Lajong took the lead in the 15th minute through Taisuke Matsugae but it was star of the day Kalu Ogba, who equalized and then went on to score his hat-trick in the second half. Boima Karpeh and Victorino Fernandes were the other scorers for Sporting Clube.
The Flaming Oranje remain on the second position with 24 points and close the gap from leaders Bengaluru FC by three points.
Sporting Clube missed the services of skipper Mathew Gonsalves in defence and medio Pratesh Shirodkar due to suspension. They started in the right earnest but couldn’t create any promising moves early on.
At the other, Shillong Lajong came into this match with a lucky 1-0 victory over Churchill Brothers and Thangboi Singto’s side looked much more aggressive in their approach then their previous performance. The Meghalaya side surprised their opponents as they surged ahead in the 15th minute. A long ball from the defence by Boithang Haokip was skillfully chested by Taisuke Matsugae inside the box and the striker finished with a neat finish past rival custodian Ravi Kumar.
The Flaming Oranje upped their tempo and Kalu thought he had equalized in the 20th minute of an out-swinging flag-kick by Arturo Garcia. However, the goal was disallowed after Arturo’s corner had already travelled outside the goalline. The Panjim outfit continued their fight and their hard work paid off seven minutes later, when Kalu beautifully headed in off a cross by Jovel Martins.
Then onwards Sporting Clube dictated terms and scored another three goals in the second session. It was Kalu yet again in thick of action as the Nigerian playmaker gave his team the lead.
Arturo sent in a low free-kick and Kalu did equally well to finish with a deft grounder in the 58th minute. Subsequently, Australian striker Boima joined the party in the 65th minute after making a daunting run from the center to the danger zone to finish clinically.
Two minutes later, Kalu registered his much deserving hat-trick by toeing in off a Beevan D’Mello corner.
Substitute Victorino Fernandes made it 5-1 in injury time by easily rounding off Lajong keeper Laltauammawia Ralte. Kalu was adjudged Most Valuable Player.
