Vasco squeeze past Sporting

PANJIM, NOV 16
Sachin Gawas gave Vasco their only goal as Vasco Sports Club notched up a narrow but  impressive 1-0 win over Sporting Clube de Goa in the Kingfisher Pro League at Duler stadium, Mapusa on Tuesday. The goal came in the first half.
Sporting came in today’s encounter high from their last outing at the same venue where they thrashed Faria SM 6-0, but the ‘Flaming Oranje’ looked like a disjointed outfit as their midfield lacked co-ordination.
The match got off to an exciting start with both sides creating attacks. However, the Vasco rearguard bolstered by the return wing-back Projot Naik and central defenders Thomas D’Sousa and Nigerian Julius Akepele looked compact denying Sporting any in-roads.
The lone goal came in the 27th minute when Sachin Gawas showed composure to slot the ball home after Sporting keeper Gerald D’Mello under pressure from Joy Ferrao was guilty of giving the ball away rather cheaply.
From there on play was mostly confined to the centre as Vasco were happy to go into the breather with a goal advantage.
Sporting made a few changes into the line-up at the change of ends. Wilton Gomes and winger Anthony D’Sousa replaced an effective Pritam Singh and Fulgancio Cardozo respectively.
The change, however, failed to create any wonders. In fact, it was Vasco who threatened at the other end.
The game took an unprecedented turn in the 77th minute, as Vasco substitute Queterio Pango reacted foolishly to a challenge from Agenlo D’Sousa which saw him receiving a straight red card from referee Sunil Nanodkar.
Sporting tried hard to use the man advantage. However, the closest the Oranges came was in the closing stages when defender Boubacar Keita rattled the crossbar from a Freiman Piexoto corner kick.