Team Herald
ASSOLNA: Sporting Clube de Goa U-15 put up a formidable performance to beat SAI-Goa 2-1 in the AIFF U-15 Youth League to confirm their spot from the Goa zone, at Assolna football ground on Tuesday.
One goal each from Sweden Fernandes and Aman Govekar in each session sealed the match for Flaming Oranje. The consolation goal for SAI-Goa was scored by TH London in the closing stages of the match.
The first half witnessed a fairly balanced contest between both the teams as they made numerous attempts at either ends but failing to make much impact.
However, it was Sporting Clube juniors who had the edge over SAI-Goa as they came close to scoring twice within the first 15 minutes from a close range. The first opportunity came when Standely Fernandes made a fantastic run into the box failing to bury the ball into the nets.
The second opportunity came in when Standely and Aman combined well as the latter fired a shot only to be blocked by the SAI defence.
The first goal came in the 34th minute as Standely once again made a fantastic run on the left to send in a beautiful cross which went screaming past Aman, however Sweden who was closing in from the right latched on the juicy cross to put Sporting Clube juniors ahead.
After gaining the lead Sporting Clube launched a series of attacks but SAI defence managed to contain them.
The second half started on a cautious note as SAI-Goa added some fire power trying to find the early goal. The Sporting Clube juniors back line put up a brave performance denying any of the SAI players to make an impact inside the box.
Either teams missed some glorious opportunities which could have changed the course of the match entirely. Rest of the action came towards the closing stages as Aman once again came up with a fantastic goal to leave the SAI players stunned and the crowed amazed as his right footed shot sailed into the nets to seal the match for Sporting Clube juniors.
SAI-Goa kept knocking the doors and finally found a consolation goal through London in the injury time as his well placed shot went past the Sporting Clube custodian Akshat Gopal, who otherwise had a wonderful evening.
