Fatorda(Goa): Sporting Clube de Goa caught Salgaocar Sports Club by surprise with a 4-2 demolition in a fourth round I-league clash at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday.
South Sudan striker James Moga was the hero of Sporting Clube’s amazing triumph with a brilliant hat-trick while Nigerian midfielder Ogba Kalu scored the other goal for the winners. Edeh Chidi and Ryuji Sueoka had scored the goals for Salgaocar. The teams were locked 2-2 at the change of ends.
Salgaocar took the lead even before people had taken their seats, and probably, even before the stuttering Sporting Clube defence had a settled look to it. Chidi, menacing as ever, worked down the right and essayed a ball in the goalmouth where Ryuji Sueoka controlled the ball but was brought down by Rojen Singh leading to a penalty which Sueoka himself converted in the third minute itself.
Sporting Clube are probably used to such situations and got back into the match immediately. James Moga won a freekick just outside the box and the South Sudan striker left everyone stunned when he curled the ball majestically into the goal.
Salgaocar were dangerous while launching the attacks but left themselves exposed to a counter attack.
Salgaocar looked vulnerable after being a goal down and survived two close calls which could have probably ended the match as a contest. Salgaocar finally got the equalizer at the stroke of half time when Sueoka’s ball into the heart of the Sporting defence saw a flutter of activity, bad defending and a sudden rush from Chidi to turn the ball home.
Sporting Clube turned the screws in the second session. Kalu first came up with a brilliant low header of Joseph Pereira’s freekick in the 64th minute and a minute later, James Moga completed his hat-trick with a trademark header from inside the danger zone.
Prayag demolish Pune FC 5-1
Prayag United SC have finally secured their first three points of the season. The Kolkata team demolished Pune FC 5-1 at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
Prayag United grabbed the lead through a spectacular shot by Lalkamal Bhowmick (5th minute). The inspirational skipper drove a screamer from outside the penalty box beating Pune FC custodian Sahinlal. The move that began from a United throw in, put the hosts up by one goal. The opening goal did not slow down United’s momentum, they added a second through Joshimar’s (16th min) brilliant individual effort. The Brazilian deft touches were enough to leave Pune’s defenders down and dusted, slotting it at the back of the net.
Prayag being in the driving seat seemed to be running away in this fixture, only for the Red Lizards from Pune to pull one back through an Arata strike from distance. At the halfway mark, the hosts were leading by a single goal (2-1). At the start of the second half, both teams came out with full intent.
However, in the fifty-fifth minute, United increased their lead to 3-1. Joshimar in a one on one situation lobbed the ball over the Pune goal keeper to score his second. Vincent (77th min) put Prayag out of sight, adding a fourth. Three minutes later Joshimar scored his hat trick, beating the goal keeper and finishing any hopes of a Pune FC return.
