Valentine Ezugo stars in Sporting victory

Valentine Ezugo stars in Sporting victory
Press Trust of India

margao, october 6: Three second half strikes by medio Valentine Ezeugo helped Sporting Club de Goa to register a fluent 5-2 win over 10-man Marmugao Port Trust in Goa's Professional League football at Nehru Stadium here on Friday.

Sporting, with this win, remained fourth with 11 points from nine matches. They play their last match against Vasco.

MPT, who have a match to play against Dempo and have three points suffered their eighth defeat from nine matches, are relegated to first division as Vasco who are above them with seven points still have two matches to go. Sporting, who led 1-1 at half time, scored through Agnelo Rego (23rd), Valentine Ezeugo (68th, 77th, 86th) and Pascoal Pereira (84th).

MPT, reduced to 10 men two minutes before the interval after defender Nelson Landez got a red card from referee Braz Rodrigues for abusive language, had better share of exchanges and scoring chances in the first half. They reduced the margin through Manguel Fernandes (28th) and substitute Lino Pereira.

Sporting drew first blood in the 23rd minute when a 40-yard grounder from Agnelo Rego found the net after the ball brushed off diving keeper Jo Fernandes. Pascoal pereira laid the pass off a free-kick.

MPT, who need the win to remain in contention to avoid regelation, mounted a counter-attack and after missing two close chances equalised five minutes later when Minguel Fernandes long ranger from the top of the box, which came to him via Francis Afonso through Mario throw, found the net to have both the teams 1-1 at half time.

MPT had better scoring chances and could have led by at last two goals had it not been for Francis Afonso who missed two clear chances. Sporting's Balbin Pereira also came to his side's rescue when he made a goal line save off a weak shot from Mario Coelho who dribbled past a defender and onrushing keeper Joe.

Sporting who controlled the midfield after the change of ends went ahead through Valentine Ezuego whose 30 yards shot beat the keeper to the far end of the net off a pass from Daniel Noronha.