Sporting Clube de Goa edged past Goa Police 1-0

Goa Khabar:The winning moment came in stoppage time when substitute Leran Dias rose highest to head home Haokip’s precise corner and finally break Goa Police’s stubborn resistance.

Earlier in the first half Goa Police almost drew first blood when Kunal Salgaonkar combined neatly with Abdul Khan in a quick one-two before firing a low shot that rolled inches wide of the far post. Sporting came close to scoring after the restart when Haokip’s clever run caused chaos inside the box. Kunal’s follow-up effort was blocked by goalkeeper Saiesh Kunkolkar and Doyal Alves’ looping header from the rebound was cleared off the line by defender Anant Gad. Despite Goa Police’s resilient defending Leran’s late header sealed all three points for Sporting Clube de Goa.

Before kickoff a minute’s silence was observed in memory of former Chief Minister Ravi Naik.

Sporting started brightly and nearly took an early lead when Haokip curled in a cross from the right flank to an unmarked Joel Colaco whose header flew narrowly wide. Minutes later Haokip tried his luck from the edge of the box but his shot was safely collected by Saiesh Kunkolkar.

At the other end Goa Police threatened again through Kunal Salgaonkar who combined with Abdul Khan and fired just wide of the post. Sporting responded through a sharp attack as Naocha Singh fed Doyal Alves on the right. Doyal whipped in a low cross to Prince Figueiredo but Saiesh pulled off a brilliant full-stretch save to keep it goalless.

Goa Police continued to press when Kunal dispossessed Joel deep in Sporting’s half and fired from the edge of the area but goalkeeper Dylan Da Cunha collected it cleanly.

After the break Sporting stepped up their tempo. Kunal Kundaikar swung in a teasing cross towards Doyal Alves who missed his touch from close range. Moments later Haokip dribbled past two defenders inside the box but Saiesh dived bravely to block. The loose ball fell to Kunal whose shot was again saved before Doyal’s header from the rebound was cleared off the line by Anant Gad.

Sporting kept pressing until the final whistle and their persistence paid off in stoppage time when Leran Dias climbed above everyone to nod home Haokip’s corner and give Sporting a hard-fought 1-0 victory.