MAPUSA: Sporting Clube de Goa demolished Churchill Bros 4–0 in a completely one sided affair, in the Group A match of the Goa Police Cup, organized by Goa Police Sports cell in association with Vasco Sports Club and GFA, at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Thursday.
Despite the result of today’s match, Sporting Clube fail to advance into the Cup semis as Calangute Association have already booked their place into the semis from the Group A.
At halftime Sporting Clube led by a 2-0 margin.
The Flaming Oranje got into the offensive right from the word go where in the 2nd minute itself Seriton Fernandes fired in a powerful right footer which was saved by the diving Churchill keeper Aliston Fernandes.
Couple of minutes later Victorino Fernandes on getting hold of a loose ball ran down the left flank but failed to get the ball past the keeper.
Sporting Clube’s Joseph Pereira too tried his luck at the goal only to his shot go inches past the target.
The Flaming Oranje’s constant raids in the rival citadel paid off in the 34th minute when a Joseph Pereira corner found Harpreet on the edge of the box who finished off the move through a powerful volley.
In the 44th minute Sporting Clube further inflated their lead as Quan sent three Churchill Bros defenders the wrong way while setting up Seriton who was didn’t make a mistake as he fired the ball from a range. The score read 2 – 0 at the half-time.
After the breather, Sporting Clube continued to hold the upper hand in the match and could have easily made it 3 – 0 when Victorino made a fantastic run on the left beating everyone to come head on against the keeper who somehow managed to block his shot. The resulting rebound once again came to Victorino who’s second attempt was blocked for the second time by the Churchill defender Janifar Clemente.
Minutes later Sporting Clube were awarded a penalty when Janifar Clemente was found guilty by referee Tejas Nagvenkar of viciously tackling Victorino inside the 18-yard box, Cajetan made it 3 – 0 from the spot for Sporting Clube.
Churchill should have reduced the margin in the closing stages of the match however Pankaj Sona’s low grounder from close range sailed just past the Sporting Clube’s goal.
When it looked like the match would end at that, Sporting came with another goal in the injury moments of the match when Avrhisto Fernandes’ long range effort was too hot for the keeper to handle as the ball rolled into the nets.
With this win Sporting avoid finishing last in the Group A of Goa Police Cup.
