Sporting Clube-de-Goa cashed on Air India keeper Raju Ekka’s blunder to score their first win in the eighth round of ONGC I-League at Nehru stadium here on Saturday.

The only goal of the match was scored in the 40th minute by Man of the Match Elijah Obagbemiro, whose free-kick dropped in front of the custodian and found the net. Sporting now have six points from eighth games while Air India remain on seven.

Air India’s hopes of a comeback were dealt a severe blow when they were reduced to nine men in the second half with Uttam Singh and Samson Singh getting red cards.

For Sporting, Harmanjot Khabra, Denzil Franco and Elijah Obagbemiro were shown yellow cards.

Sporting started in right earnest putting pressure on the rival defence and could have taken an early lead but Lawerence Adjei’s shot out from close with only keeper Raju Ekka to beat.

The hosts kept probing and came close to scoring but Ekka brought off a point blank save to deny Micky Fernandes.

Air India made a counter move and earned a free-kick but Samson Singh saw his shot saved by goalkeeper Luis Barreto.

Sporting’s persistent efforts bore fruit when they earned a free-kick at the top of the box after Lawerence Adjei was brought down by defender Uttam Singh and Obagbemiro found the target.

After change of ends, Air India showed more urgency in their attack even as Bashiru Abbas missed two sitters. They received a jolt in the 55th minute when Samson Singh got marching orders for a dangerous foul on Micky Fernandes.

Sporting, who were keen to defend their lead, had a chance to increase the lead in the 60th minute but substitute Bibiano Fernandes saw his shot hit the post and Elijah Obagbemiro hit the rebound out.
Air India lost Uttam Singh after he earned his second booking which ended Air India’s hopes of a comeback.

JCT win

In another eighth round tie, JCT defeated Viva Kerala 2-0 at the Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode, to join Dempo Sports Club at the top of the points table.

The team from Punjab drew first blood through captain Sunil Chettri’s header in the 24th minute after a Marcos pass before hardworking Baljit Singh Sahni sealed the issue in the 68th minute.

The home team made several forays into the JCT citadel in the first 15 minutes of the game, but the sturdy defence thwarted their attempts.