Goemkarponn desk
BENAULIM: Sporting Clube de Goa trounced Pax of Nagoa SC 3-0 to clinch the Goa Professional League title for the seventh time at Benaulim ground, on Wednesday.
On the final matchday where three teams were in contention for the title, Sporting needed nothing less than a win and they executed it well with goals from Biswa Darjee (42′), Lloyd Cardozo (50′) and Rohan Rodrigues (65′).
“It is one of the happiest moments after the tough I-League 2 schedule. They have given their best in every game and been unbeaten in the last five matches. Credit goes to the boys,” said Sporting assistant coach and former India captain Climax Lawrence.
The Flaming Oranje finished the season with 49 points after 24 games. Sporting scored 54 goals which was the highest among the 13 teams and also conceded the least (16).
“The boys were determined. Hats off to the management and will be stronger next season,” said Sporting head coach Armando Colaco.
Colaco named an unchanged starting 11 that rallied for a 3-1 win against FC Goa in the previous game.
The players knew the importance of the tie and started cautiously, initially giving Nagoa an upper hand, but slowly gained superior ball possession.
Sporting’s first attempt came in the 12th minute when Lloyd Cardozo grounder missed the mark narrowly.
Soon, Ivon Costa’s curler went agonizingly wide, while Joyner Lourenco’s left-footer was blocked by the rival keeper.
Sporting gained a corner in the 42nd minute and Biswas Darjee decided to curl in directly. His skill paid off as it deceived the rival keeper and crashed into the nylons.
Five minutes into the second half, Sporting doubled their lead after Lloyd finished neatly.
In the 65th minute, Rohan Rodrigues converted a free-kick with a fine finish to make it 3-0.
GFA president Caetano Fernandes lauded the efforts of Sporting and their contribution to Goan football.
