Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Sporting Clube de Goa registered a hard-fought 2-0 win over Vasco Sports Club to reclaim the top spot in the Goa Professional League match, organised by Goa Football Association, played at Duler Stadium, on Thursday.
Victorino Fernandes opened the tally for Sporting in the first session, while Abiola Afuwape came off the bench in the second half to double the score.
Sporting Coach Mateus Costa made three changes to his side which won against Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim in the last match as Mauvin Borges, Glan Martins and foreign defender Sodiq Ibrahim made the cut. Vasco Coach Eban Mesquita also made few changes to his side following a goalless draw in the last match against Corps of Signals as wingers Clive Coelho and Anil Gaoncar along with defender Godfrey Mascarenhas made the start.
Sporting came close to scoring in the first minute when their defender Sodiq tried his luck from the distance only to see it miss the target by a whisker. A minute later, their winger Brandon Gomes tried to find Victorino Fernandes in the box but Vasco keeper Amit Biswas cleared the danger on time.
After wasting two easy chances, Sporting finally opened their account in the 10th minutes when skipper Victorino brilliantly curled the ball into the back of the nets from the 20-yard free-kick to take his side into the lead. In the next minute, Vasco should have equalised when their lone striker Franky Oliveiro was in the commanding position but the striker shot on keeper instead of directing into the goal.
The last few minutes of the session witnessed, Vasco continuously penetrating Sporting defence but their keeper Ozen Silva stood tall to clear every danger.
Vasco sustained the attacking mentality from the first half as they once again came close to scoring when Anil made an excellent cross to Clive in the box but keeper Ozen cleared the same before conceding any danger.
At the other end, just-in Nigerian striker Abiola Afuwape doubled Sporting’s lead when he easily headed in from close off Daryl’s curling cross from the deep left flank.
Trailing by two goals with less than 30 minutes to go, Vasco gaffer Mesquita brought-in the experienced player Micky Fernandes, while he also replaced Guinean midfielder Vasseba Toure, bringing in Daryl Endro, whereas, Sporting coach Mateus made two changes in the line-up bringing in Marcus Mascarenhas and Cajetan Fernandes, replacing Victorino and Joseph Clemente.
Vasco had the best chance of the match in the added time when Micky made a brilliant through pass to Franky who lay off it to substitute Beneston Barretto who in turn set up the striker with just keeper at the stake but Sporting custodian Ozen came with a breathtaking save to book all three points for the Flaming Orange.
