Fatorda (Goa) :Sporting Clube de Goa staged an impressive second half recovery as the hosts got the better of Shillong Lajong 4-3 in an impressive third round I-league clash at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Monday.
Sporting Clube’s defensive frailties largely contributed in the team being 1-2 down in the first session. But after the change of ends, the hosts showed character to not just restore parity but also walk away with full points for the first time in the competition.
Ogba Kalu, James Moga and a brace from Victorino Fernandes helped Sporting get the better of their rivals who scored through PC Lalimthara and Johnny Menyongar (penalty).
Lajong were the first to take the lead, and it happened as early as the tenth minute when the Sporting Clube defence stood appealing for a non-existent foul at the centre and the crafty Johnny Menyongar showed quick wit to send a through ball for PC Lalimthara to do the finishing act.
Sporting Clube, though, got the equalizer in the 24th minute, although in fortunate circumstances. James Moga’s attempted shot seemed sure shot goal until it was defended on the goalline by Sporting’s own midfielder Ogba Kalu. The Nigerian midfielder, however, made amends in the same goalmouth melee when he was successful in turning the ball home.
The home side went down again, this time thanks to another defensive lapse in the 39th minute. The Sporting defenders waited for a offside to be flagged off and allowed Lalimthara a free run inside the danger zone. Left with no option, Sporting goalkeeper Milagrio Medeira ended bringing down Lalimthara and the referee lost no time in awarding a penalty which Menyongar was equally quick in converting.
Sporting came back strongly in the second session and Victorino scored twice in three minutes at the start. Both of his goals were opportunistic strikes, the second – in the 51st minute – stemming from a misunderstanding between Lajong goalkeeper Soram Anganba and his defence.
Lajong hauled themselves back in the match when Lalimthara scored his second goal of the evening in the 56th minute but there was time for yet another twist as James headed Keita Boubacar’s well-measured cross from the goalmouth in the 71st minute.
Sporting then defended stoutly for the remainder of the match to collect five points from three matches while Lajong have four points in their kitty.