Goemkarponn desk
Mapusa: Sporting Clube de Goa were shocked by Cortalim Villagers after conceding two late goals in added time in a 1-2 defeat in their second match of the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy at Duler Stadium, here, on Friday.
Alister Anthony broke the deadlock to put Sporting ahead in the 61st minute. However, Cortalim equalized in the second minute of added time through substitute Prathmesh Gaonkar and soon, Saeesh Halarankar scored the winner.
Sporting came into the fixture after a comfortable 4-0 win against Mumbai City FC’s developmental side. But Cortalim, their Goa Professional League opponents, were a tougher challenge.
Both the teams had created chances in the first half. Rahul Rodrigues’ powerful attempt missed the target narrowly, while Biswa Darjee’s curler was parried away by the Cortalim keeper at the start of the second half.
But Sporting, the Goa champions, urged ahead just at the hour mark when Lloyd Mascarenhas won an aerial duel and the ball fell in the path of Alister, who gave the finishing touches.
They should have scored another in the 67th minute but Lloyd Cardozo couldn’t beat the rival keeper. Two minutes before the final whistle, Lloyd had another golden opportunity after a defensive lapse. But Lloyd shot straight into Cortalim keeper Savio Pereira in a one-on-one situation.
However, Cortalim didn’t give up. Substitute Prathmesh Gaonkar equalized as his header got the better of Sporting custodian Dylan Da Silva and then, Saeesh Halarankar poked the ball in after a set piece by Denil Rebello.
