Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Sporting Clube de Goa fought gallantly to come from a goal deficit to get the better of Churchill Brothers FC by 2-1 margin in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, here, on Monday.
For Churchill Brothers, Jobern Cardozo (9th minute) drew the first blood, while Kunal Kundaikar and Vikram Venkatachalam (87th minute) scored for Sporting Clube.
Churchill Brothers forged ahead in the 9th minute where striker Trijoy Dias sent a square pass to unmarked Jobern Cardozo, who slotted the ball into the net, 1-0.
The next 25 minutes was restricted to midfield with both the goalkeepers being hardly tested.
At the strike for half an hour, Churchill Brothers Mohammad Khan sent a low cross at the goal which was timely cleared for a corner by Kunal Kundaikar.
As the match progressed, Flaming Oranje U-21 Shaniel Lucas drove a power-packed left footer which was blocked by Churchill Brothers goalkeeper Gairik Roy and cleared to safety by the defender.
On crossing ends, Sporting Clube coach Armando Colaco brought three changes which saw transformation in the attack.
In the 54th minute, a curling shot by Rohan Rodrigues was pushed for a corner by Churchill Brothers goalkeeper Gairik with a full stretched diving save.
Two minutes later, a strong header by Doyal Alves was blocked on the goal line by Churchill Brothers Atharv Dandekar.
Finally in the 58th minute, Sporting Clube got their equaliser, when Kunal Kundaikar latched a scorching 30-yard shot which crashed into the far corner of the goal 1-1.
At the other end, a 25-yard rasping shot by Churchill Brothers Lunminlen Haokip rebounded off the crossbar.
The Red Machine received a jolt when in the 69th minute striker and skipper Trijoy Dias received his second caution and was sent off by Referee Sunil Nanodkar.
In the 87th minute, a long ranger once again by Kunal Kundaikar deflected off Vikram Venkatchalam leg to beat keeper 2-1.