TEAM HERALD
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
MAPUSA: Sporting Clube de Goa were held to a goalless draw by Shillong Lajong in a 15th round I-League match at Duler Stadium, here, Tuesday.
Sporting missed the services of Guinean defender Keita Boubacar following a suspension against Air India and Joyner Lourenco started in his place.
| CLEAN BLOCK: Sporting Clube de Goa’s Seiya Sugishita’s close ranger being blocked by Shillong Lajong goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte in a 15th round I-League match at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, Tuesday |
Striker Dawson Fernandes was back after his suspension starting upfront for the Flaming Oranje but he lasted for only five minutes after he picked up an injury and was replaced by Victorino Fernandes.
Lajong started well, forgetting their 6-0 thrashing by Churchill Brothers and they could have taken the lead in the sixth minute. Lalchhuanmawia’s corner was headed by Minchol Son towards Friday Gbeneme but the Lebanese striker shot wide from close range with only rival goalkeeper Ashok Singh at his mercy.
Two minutes later, Friday’s, edge of the box effort, went inches wide as the visitors continued to build up pressure.
Sporting’s first threat at the rival goal came in the 10th minute after Joseph Pereira sent a through ball to striker Seiya Sugishita but the Japanese was ruled off-side.
At the other end, Shillong’s Lallawmzuala sent a long ball to Friday. Onrushing Sporting goalkeeper Ashok Singh failed to intercept it, but still Friday couldn’t convert as rival defender Mathew Gonsalves came up with a timely tackle.
Lajong enjoyed the lion’s share of ball possession as Sporting found it hard to break into the rival citadel.
However, in the 35th minute, Sporting’s Jovel Martins sent a well measured pass to Victorino, inside the box, who squandered a goal-scoring opportunity as Minchol tackled effectively.
In the second session, Lajong’s Lalramluaha Hmar set-piece was crossed into the rival box by Friday, but Sushil Singh’s header was tipped away by Ashok Singh from close range in the 52nd minute.
Then, Sporting went all out but Victorino was guilty yet again in the 60th minute as his shot sailed over the crosspiece with Lajong goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte out of his position.
In the 70th minute, Joyner failed to tap in from hand-shaking distance off a cross from Pratesh Shirodkar.
Ashok Singh came to his side’s rescue once again as he blocked a 30-yard free-kick by Lajong’s Eugeneson Lyngdoh in the 80th minute.
Sporting could have broken the deadlock in the dying minutes but Seiya wasted two goal-mouth chances.
Sporting’s Mathew Gonsalves was adjudjed Most Valuable Player.
Lajong coach Desmond Bulpid felt his team had created good chances and should have converted them. Bulpid hailed the new astro turf and hoped it would be well maintained. “The turf is one of the best I have seen in the country and I hope it is well maintained. It’s a pleasure to come and play in this stadium as it is clean, unlike other stadiums in India,” said Bulpin.
Sporting coach, Oscar Bruzon was not happy with his team’s showing as they failed to enjoy good ball possession. “Lajong attacked with long balls and our team tried to play the same way. We needed to keep more ball possession and combine in order to build up pressure on Lajong, but today, I did’t see that on the pitch”.
Sporting are 10th in the standings with 13 points from 13 games while Lajong are 12th with 11 points having played 14 matches.
