I-League: Mohammedan Sporting taste success in Goa

GOA: Mohammedan Sporting Club took Sporting Clube by surprise with a methodical 3-1 victory in the seventh round Airtel I-League clash at the Duler Stadium, Goa, on Sunday (October 27, 2013).

Josimar Martins scored a brace and Ajay Singh scored another one as Mohammedan Sporting ended Sporting’s run of three victories on the trot. Boima Karpeh scored the only goal for the hosts.

Brazilian striker Josimar Martins went close early in the game and then Tolgay Ozbey was denied magnificently by Spanish defender Gonzalo Neila when the Australian striker had a clear look at the goal.

Sporting’s chances were few and far between with striker Boima Karpeh, the lone man upfront, looking lost.

Mohammedan surged ahead just after the half an hour mark in a quick counter attack. Midfielder Penn Orji got hold of the ball and slipped it through to Josimar who did extremely well to pick out the far corner from an acute angle.

The goal shook Sporting out of their slumber and they seemed more purposeful. Karpeh had another chance but he shot wide with Luciano Sobrosa on his trail and then Ogba Kalu’s header was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper L Ashok Singh.

Towards the end of the first session, Sporting Clube went close twice, on both occasions Karpeh and Kalu heading wide from handshaking distance.
After the change of ends, there were more misses from the generous hosts and it was not until the 58th minute that Sporting Clube got the equalizer that they were looking out for. A cross from Deepak Devrani from the right saw Karpeh chest the ball and toe it home for a simple finish.

The goal should have punctured Mohammedan Sporting’s confidence but a double substitution from Mohammedan Sporting coach Bola Masood Aziz did the trick. Israil Gurung, who had replaced captain Jerry Zirsanga, whipped in a cross which Ajay Singh – replacement for Tolgay Ozbey – met delightfully to give his team the lead for the second time in the 71st minute.

Sporting, expectedly, came hard at the visitors but it were Mohammedan who had the last laugh after Josimar scored his second goal and the team’s third in the final minute of play.