Sporting register a much-needed win over Shillong

Dawson Fernandes scored the all-important winner for Sporting Clube de Goa

SHILLONG: Sporting Clube De Goa came from behind to pocket three full points here at JN Sports Complex on Sunday after they beat Shillong Lajong FC 2-1 before a packed stadium in a round three match of the I-League.

It was in the added minute of the first half Lajong took the lead after Gbeneme Friday headed home a volley from Ebi Theopillus Sukore.

However, after the lemon break, it was the visitors who dominated the proceedings and were able to clinch the equalize in the 53rd minute of the game through a header from Ogba Kalu. In the 71st minute, Dawson Fernandes scored the all-important winner for Sporting Clube de Goa.

Lajong started the match in an aggressive note but the defence line of the Goan team proved to be too solid for them to penetrate.

But, in the 20th minute, Sushil Kumar Singh came close to giving the local team the lead but his shot was off the target by few inches. In the 43rd minute, Sukore again came close to scoring but it was a brilliant interception from Joyner Lourenco that kept the scores leveled.

During the added minute of the first half, Friday broke the deadlock after he headed home a Sukore’s volley but their joy didn’t last long.

A charged up Sporting took control of the game in the second half and were able to equalize in the 53rd minute when Kalu headed home the free-kick by Freiman Peixoto.

In the 71st minute, of the game Dawson Fernandes, who was later adjudged the man of the match, made no mistake in converting Kalu’s cross into the match winner.

With Sunday’s result, Sporting Clube de Goa and Shillong Lajong now have four points each from three matches.

Later talking to the reporters, Sporting coach S. Ekendra Singh said: “Todays result is confidence booster for our team.

Shillong Lajong FC 1 (Gbeneme Friday 45^th)

lost to

Sporting Clube de Goa 2 (Ogba Kalu – 53^rd; Dawson Fernandes 71^st)