Kamal Ghorui
Panaji: Sporting Clube de Goa climbed their way up the I-League 2 ladder with a solitary goal win against Sudeva Delhi FC at the Atal Stadium, Bambolim, on Tuesday.Alister Anthony’s 73rd minute penalty was enough for Sporting to move to the second spot with seven points from four matches, while leaving Sudeva at the foot of the table. Delhi FC are on top with seven points from three games and the teams face each other in a blockbuster clash next week.After losing the opener against United SC at home, Sporting have now picked up seven points from their next three games. Varela was in-charge till the last game against Morning Star, where the team secured a point with a last-gasp equaliser.Once the team returned home, Sporting and Varela mutually decided it was best to part ways. The club later installed Augusto Wilson da Silva as the head coach, and the man who has coached Oranje FC and Railways (Santosh Trophy) in the past, was in the dugout for the clash against Sudeva Delhi.Sporting showed intent at the start with Alister and Doyal Alves leading the attack. Kunal Kundaikar’s runs down the right flank also caused trouble to the opponents. In fact, had it not been for defender Zahid Yousif’s goalline clearance to stop Alister’s header, the home team would have enjoyed success in the first half.Just before half time, Alister beat the offside trap to meet Joyner Lourenco’s long ball but shot wide after being one-on-one with the goalkeeper.Sudeva Delhi’s attacks were restricted to long rangers; attempt from inside the box were wayward. Jajo Prashan was impressive on the left wing but lacked the final touch.In the second half, Sporting won a penalty after Lalmuanawma handled Alister’s header inside the box. The striker himself walked up to take the spot kick and finished calmly.Sudeva Delhi kept fighting for the equaliser. Biswadev Basumatary’s header from an Aryan Khokhar corner kick missed the target by the narrowest of margins, and in the fifth minute of added time, Ejaj Ahamad’s attempt from a inside a crowded box was turned away on the goalline by Dhiraj Chouhan.It was a narrow escape but Sporting won’t mind.
