Goa Pro League: Late goal helps FC Goa beat Sporting Clube de Goa

Both the teams now have three points from two games

Malsawmtluanga scored in stoppage time to help FC Goa register a 1-0 win over Sporting Clube de Goa, in Goa Professional League, Duler Stadium, Mapusa.

Both FC Goa and Sporting Clube de Goa remain on three points each after two games.

The match had its fair share of near-misses and opportunities. Sporting Clube de Goa had a golden chance when Myron delivered a tantalizing ball into the penalty area, but Rohan Rodrigues failed to connect, allowing the keeper to collect the ball. Sporting Clube's hopes were further dashed when Alton Vaz's towering header from a corner sailed high over the crossbar.

At the half-hour mark, FC Goa nearly broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion. Lemmet Tangvah and Malsawmtluanga displayed brilliant one-touch passing, with the latter beating the keeper. Unfortunately for FC Goa, Malsawmtluanga's final shot narrowly missed the post with no one in goal, marking one of the biggest misses in the league.

FC Goa continued to press forward, with Vellington Fernandes putting Ameen Attar through on goal. With only the Sporting keeper, Manjunath, to beat, Attar failed to find the back of the net, leaving spectators wondering whether it was the keeper's brilliance or Attar's poor shot that kept the scores level.

Bryson Pereiera of FC Goa attempted a low shot after venturing into Sporting territory but lacked the necessary bend in his effort. The second half saw Saish Gaunkar come on as a substitute for FC Goa, and he had a goal-bound shot blocked by Myron, forcing a corner.

From the ensuing corner kick, FC Goa came agonizingly close to breaking the deadlock when Reezvon Fernandes saw his header strike the crossbar, only for it to be cleared by a Sporting defender. Sporting Clube's Lloyd had a notable moment with a bending shot that eluded the keeper but also the goal itself.

Sporting Clube’s Liston on the right flank had an impressive performance, delivering a brilliant ball into the box for Vidipt, but the latter failed to make any contact. The match's defining moment arrived in stoppage time when Akash Oraow delivered a precise low cross into the goalmouth. Malsawmtluanga remained composed and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, leaving Sporting keeper Manjunath with no chance.

Malsawmtluanga was named the player of the match and FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez presented the player of the match award.