In the 4th round of Hero I-league 2015-16, Sporting Clube de Goa earned three well-deserved points with a 2-0 win over Aizawl FC at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Aizawl, courtesy two first half strikes from Nicholas Fernandes and Loveday Okechukwu, in the 1st minute and 27th minute respectively.
Mateus Costa’s boys began leading just seconds after the kick off at 2 pm. Aizawl FC defender Ruatthara committed a mistake in the box and Fernandes did not miss his opportunity to score, giving his side an early advantage over the home team.
Sporting doubled their lead when long range expert Loveday Okechukwu fired a spectacular shot from the halfway line to the back of the net. The score remained the same in the first half.
Aizawl looked prepared to attack from their set-up but their attempts could not be converted by the attackers. Sporting Goa keeper Arindam Bhattacharjya was in top form and combined well with the defenders to thwart all the attempts made by the home side.
Aizawl FC’s strikers were guilty of missing some good chances and though they had a high number of shots on target, failed to produce the goals. Alfred, Valpuia and Biaktea miscued the chances that came their way.
The victory ensured that Sporting Goa leapfrogged Aizawl in the league table to the fifth spot with four points.
Coach Mateus Costa praised his boys for their valiant efforts, “We are happy because the match went the way we planned today.”
His team will now turn their attention to Shillong Lajong, who they play next.
Aizawl coach Manuel Fraile sounded a little distorted after the result, “We did not have focus and concentration. We failed to win the duels and Sporting deserved to take away all three points today.” He asserted that Aizawl FC will make a strong comeback in their next match against Salgaocar, whom they are slated to play in Goa on the last day of this month.
Comments
SHARE