Shillong, Jan 31 (IANS) Shillong Lajong FC jumped a place to the fifth spot after beating Sporting Clube de Goa 1-0 in an I-League football home match here on Sunday.
Brazilian striker Uilliams Bomfim scored the game-clinching goal in the 59th minute to give the home side its first ever victory against the Goan side. He was adjudged the Man of the Match.
Lajong now has seven points from four matches, eclipsing Sporting which has four points after similar number of matches, dropping them a place in the standings.
Sporting pushed their hosts on the backfoot in the opening exchanges, winning several corners Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Lajong’s Nigerian Penn Orji was the only visible threat to Sporting.
Sporting got the first chance of the match in the 23rd minute. But Rowlin Borges’ header from close range rebounded off the frame of the goal.
It was a golden opportunity for Sporting and it were unable to create another meaningful opportunity in the fist half, which ended 0-0.
Sporting were again on the charge after the break, creating a couple of genuine opportunities in the space of three minutes.
Their Nigerian goal scorer Odafa Okolie made a menacing run forward in the 52nd minute and got a clear sight at goal but blasted over.
Three minutes later, he tried to make amends by issuing a dangerous cross in the box but an acrobatic stop from goalkeeper Vishal Kaith revived the situation for the hosts.
Lajong made Sporting pay dearly for its profligacy and went ahead just at the stroke of the hour mark.
Uilliams scored after a co-ordinating beautifully with Faio Pena upfront.
Fabio’s shot from a chipped forward ball was partially saved by Sporting’s net minder Arindam Bhattacharya.
Uilliams pounced on the rebound to score.
Lajong dominated the proceedings after the goal and could have increased the margin but didn’t take the chances that came their way.
