GPL 2019-20: Sporting Goa ease past Velsao for three vital points

The Flaming Oranje scored both goals in the last half hour of the game.

Today's Goa Pro League clash saw Sporting Goa ease past Velsao Sports and Cultural Club 2-0 in a match played at Duler Stadium on Thursday.

Though Sporting were the dominant side, they failed to create any potent chance in the first 25 minutes, as Velsao defenders Leny Pereira and Allen Fernandes kept every danger at the bay. Whereas, Sporting strikers Philip Odogwu and U-20 Stendly Fernandes completely failed to beat Velsao's strong defenive line.

It took Sporting 30 minutes to come close to scoring, as Sachidanand Satelkar found Odogwu in the box, but the forward saw his strike rebound off the crossbar.

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A few minutes later, Sporting had another chance to take the lead. This time, Odogwu sent a pass to skipper Marcus Mascarenhas who made a swift run into the box and fired a powerful grounded shot, but Velsao keeper Presley Mascarehas made a diving effort to keep his side safe.

They had one more chances to surge ahead before half-time, as Stendly came up with a fine low cross to Odogwu in the box, but the striker failed to keep his simple tap in on target.

Velsao, who had failed to create a single chance in the first half, had the best chance to stun the opponents just after changing ends. Bersal Viegas sent a brilliant floater to the onrushing Clinton Niasso in the box, but Sporting keeper Akshat came to rescue his side with a superb save.

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Sporting finally managed to take the lead in the 61st minute, when Brandon Gomes' perfect cross was brilliantly tapped in by Odogwu to make it 1-0.

A few minutes later, Velsao keeper Presley stretched to his limit to deny substitute Akeraj Martin in a one-on-one situation.

However, in the 90th minute, Sporting doubled their lead. George D'Souza's long ball was brilliantly controlled by Marcus who found Gautam Dias in the box to make it 2-0.

Click here for the Goa Pro League 2019-20 points table after this match.