Margao: Defending champions Salgaocar Sports Club relied on a solitary penalty strike from Ryuji Sueoka to scrape past Air India in a 22nd round I-League clash at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Saturday. Sueoka converted a 23rd minute penalty to give Salgaocar three points and some good morale before they travel to Jordan for their AFC Cup clash against Al Widhat.
Salgaocar took the field without suspended Nigerian striker Edeh Chidi but the home side were never short on attacking firepower. Sueoka himself was breathing down Air India's neck all the time while Beevan D'Mello's paces also created several problems for his markers. Salgaocar, however, could not translate their domination into goals as several chances were muffed by the likes of Sueoka, Beevan, Francis Fernandes and Ishfaq Ahmed.
The only goal of the match happened in the 23rd minute when Kali Alaudeen tripped Nicolau Colaco inside the box. Sueoka then converted the penalty with ease. Salgaocar now have 39 points from 22 outings while Air India are stuck on 28 from 22 matches.
In the other match, Adil Khan scored the only goal to help Sporting Clube de Goa earned full points as they beat host Shillong Lajong FC. It was the Shillong Lajong who started the match on a aggressive note and controlled the proceeding in the first half. However, they missed as many as three opportunities to convert, closest coming in the 29th minute when Lajong skipper John D Menyongar dribble pass three defenders and took the shot which went over the bar. Had John controlled the ball and try for the far post the story could have been different.
Changing over, the Goan side exploded over the rivals weak defence line. In the 64th minute, Sporting's Kalu N Ogba had an open chance to score a goal, he just had to beat Lajong custodian Lalthuammawia Ralte but his shot went wide. In the 70th minute Lajong defence were caught napping when unmarked Adil tapped in a deflection that earned the Goan's full points.
With this win Sporting Clube now have 34 points from 22 matches while Shillong Lajong stays at 27 points from 22 outings.
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