Margao, Oct 31: A brace by Victorina Fernandes guided hosts Sporting Clube de Goa to a hard fought 4-3 win over Shillong Lajong in a third round I-League match at the Nehru stadium at Fatorda here today.
The home team, which trailed 1-2 at half-time, scored through Kalu Nnana Ogba (24th), Fernandes (49th, 50th) and James Moga (70th), while the visitors scored through P C Lalhlimthara (10th, 56th) and John Menyongar (40th minute penalty).
Lajong started well with John Menyongar leading the attack as they probed often from the right with defender Jovel Martins giving a lot of space to his rivals to penetrate.
The hosts stitched few good moves and took the lead in the 10th minute.
Menyongar took a couple of rival players in his stride and relayed the ball to Lalhlimthara, who shot it past rival keeper Milagrio Medeira into the net after reaching the box.
Sporting took time to settle down but once they did they put the fragile rival defence under pressure and restored parity in the 24th minute.
James Moga, from inside the box, took a shot at the goal which Kalu blocked. The ball rebounded and after a few inter-changes it came to substitute Niroshan Mani who relayed it to Kalu, who guided it into the net with an angular drive.
The visitors surged ahead again when keeper Milagrio Medeira pulled down Lalhlimthara inside the box and referee Denny Jacob pointed the spot kick which was converted by Menyongar to have Lajong leading 2-1 at half time.
After change of ends, both the teams played enterprising football with plenty of goalmouth thrill.
Sporting equalized at 49 minutes when Fernandes guided the ball into the net after Kalu's goal bound shot deflected off a defender and fell on his path.
A minute later the Lajong citadel fell again as a move on the right saw Freiman Peixoto release the ball to Vitorina, who flicked the ball into the net from over the head of the charging rival keeper.
Lajong did not lose heart and kept attacking and were awarded six minutes later.
Lalramluaha laid a pass to P C Lalhlimthara who took a shot at the goal, defender Martins Jovel who made a desperate attempt to put the ball out ended in shooting into its own net.
Sporting came up with good moves and scored the winner in the 70th minute as Moga headed in off a cross from Kalu from the right to give Sporting their first home win and take their points tally to five points from three matches.
Lajong, who suffered their first defeat, remained on four points from three matches.
