Sporting defeat Vasco 1-0 in ONGC I-League opener

MARGAO: A late goal in the stoppage time by Nigerian Junior Obagbemiro guided Sporting Clube De Goa to a solitary goal-win over Vasco Sports Club in the inaugural match of the Second ONGC I-League played at Nehru Stadium here on Friday.

With both the teams failing to dish out an entertaining game, Junior managed to break the dead lock in the stoppage time with a low shot into the net off a cross from defender Chandrashekhar Chinta.

Vasco, who played well in patches, was close to scoring twice, once in each half but their forwards failed to direct their shots on target.

Vasco's defender Covan Lawerence, who played a crucial role, was declared the man of the match.

Sporting, who finished sixth last year, dominated the first 25 minutes in the first half and came close to scoring when A Joychandra Singh failed to beat Vasco's keeper Laxmikant Kattimani and later Joseph Pareira managed to deflect a cross from the right by Wilton Gomes, that hit the cross bar.

Vasco, who returned to the elite league after a gap of three years, came with counter moves and had two clear chances to take the lead.

Young promising Agnelo D'souza intercepted a through pass from Menine Fernandes to the left, raced into the box and let go a firm right footer, which keeper Felix D'Souza parried from close.

Felix again came to Sporting's rescue three minutes before the lemon-break when he managed to put out a shot that Abhishek Yadav deflected off a pass from Fernandes.

Sporting continued to hold territorial advantage after the change of ends but was not able to get past the rival defence where Covan Lawerence excelled.

Defender Chinta, who moved up on the left, sent a cross to Junior Obagbemiro, who controlled the ball before sending a stiff grounder to find the net.

Vasco's Abhishek Yadav was shown the yellow card by referee Minangshu Bhattacharya.

Source:Timesofindia.com