Margao: Sporting Clube de Goa routed Mumbai FC 5-0 and thus avenged the defeat they had suffered 1-2 in the away clash in the 16th round of I-League Football Championship match played at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Monday.
Sporting Clube, who have improved their performance in the last two outings, were outstanding today and after a barren first session, Anthony D’Souza opened the account in the 48th minute.
He was followed by James Moga’s second goal in 57th minute. Midfielder Macroy Peixoto then scored two quick goals in as many minutes as a tight match in the first session turned into a rout in the second, when Ogba Kalu converted a penalty in the third minute of added time.
In a totally one-sided affair, Sporting Clube had plenty of opportunities for ball possession in the first session but lacked the final touch that would translate a good move into a goal.
The home team shot into the lead in the 48th minute when substitute Kalu got a ball from just outside the box, dribbled past two defenders and laid the ball into the path of D’Souza who finished with ease.
Sporting made it 2-0 almost immediately as Moga, typically, rose high above the defence to meet Freiman Peixoto’s cross close to the goal mouth.
Inspired by two goals lead, Sporting continued to attack and pumped in another two quick goals through medio Macroy Peixoto in the 70th and 72nd minutes.
The first goal was fortuitous as his acrobatic shot, after Kalu’s attempt had bounced off the crossbar, sailed behind a badly positioned Mumbai FC goalkeeper Ishan Debnath.
Two minutes later, Macroy scored his second and the team’s fourth goal as he made a superb run to meet Freiman through ball and place the ball at the far end.
Sporting completed the tally during the injury minute of the second half through Kalu from the spot. The penalty was awarded after Dhanachandra Singh had brought down Dawson Fernandes.
Later, Anthony D’Souza of Sporting Clube was adjdudged the man of the match.
With this win, Sporting increased their points tally to 23 points from 16 outings, while Mumbai FC remained on same 14 points from equal number of outings. (UNI)
