Victorino Fernandes' hat-trick helps Sporting Clube de Goa pip East Bengal 4-3 and reach semi-finals
Sporting Clube de Goa pulled off a dramatic 4-3 win over East Bengal to qualify as the runners-up from B, to the semi finals. East Bengal threw away a 3-1 lead from the second half and bowed out of the competition in the process. Hero of the match Victorino Fernandes scored a hat-trick to ensure 3 crucial points for the Goan side.
East Bengal dominate first half
East Bengal conceded the first goal in the very first minute of the game when Victorino Fernandes brilliantly converted, taking advantage of the opponent’s defensive lapse. On the 6th-minute mark, Ranti Martins restored parity from the penalty spot after Mohammad Rafique was brought down by Kalu Ogba.
East Bengal took control of the match after the equaliser. They dominated the game and unleashed continuous attacks on the Sporting defense. Dudu Omagbemi gave East Bengal the lead in the 30th minute. Mama’s corner was not cleared by the Sporting defense. An opportunistic Dudu converted an easy tap in. Mama increased the lead just 4 minutes later from Dudu’s pass.
Just when it was looking as if East Bengal has sealed the fate of the match, Sporting Clube de Goa captain Anthony Wolfe scored a goal in the dying moments of the first half taking advantage of Abhishek Das’ sloppy marking.
Sporting come back strongly to register exciting win
Sporting Clube de Goa started the second half on a positive note. They increased men upfront and attacked continuously. East Bengal were defending in numbers and depended mostly on counter attacks. In between, the Kolkata side got a few chances but Dudu and Ranti Martins failed to convert easy chances.
Their school-boyish errors proved costly as Victorino scored his second to restore parity in the match. The winning goal came yet again from the Goan boy’s foot as he completed his hat-trick with ease.
The local team toyed with the East Bengal defence in the second half. The only livewire in the team’s backline was the Australian Milan Susak. He was simply outstanding but lacked support from his fellow defenders.