TEAM HERALD
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MAPUSA: Sporting Clube de Goa rode on a blistering hat-trick by Glevito Miranda to trounce Goa United Sports Academy, Calangute 3-0 and emerge North Zone GFA under-14 football league champions at Dr Remigio Pinto ground, Taleigao, Panjim, Thursday. Sporting led 1-0 at half time.
The teams started attackingly but found it hard to settle down on the uneven ground.
Goa United created better chances in the first quarter but long rangers from Lionel D’Silva went inches wide. Their highest scorer, Joy Nair was closely marked by the Sporting defenders which made it difficult for him to score.
At the other end, Sporting were slowly picking up momentum and when Goa United ran out of steam, Sporting’s Dwayne Britto sent in an intelligent through ball to Glevito who skillfully dribbled past a couple of rival defenders and fired past Goa United goalkeeper Yachikesh Shirodkar, just before half time.
Sporting dominated the second session as their defence left the Goa United strikers frustrated.
Glevito could have scored two quick goals in the 45th and 47th minutes but his close rangers were blocked by the rival custodians after Dwayne did the spadework.
In the 63rd minute, Sporting were awarded a penalty after Glevito was brought down by goalkeeper Yachikesh in a one-to-one situation. Glevito sent goalkeeper Yachikesh the wrong way and converted the penalty.
In the dying minute, Glevito registered his hat-trick after he slotted home from a goal-mouth melee.
