Sporting Clube beat Lajong 1-0

Shillong, March 31 (IANS) Riding on a solitary strike from Adil Khan Sporting Clube de Goa earned full points as they beat host Shillong Lajong FC by a solitary goal in the 22nd round of I-League football at the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex here Saturday.

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.

Lady luck had forgotten to smile over home side as in the 77th minute Matthew Osvaldo Mayora's powerful shot hit the bar. Had it been an inch low, it would have been a different story.

With this win Sporting Clube now have 34 points from 22 matches while Shillong Lajong stays at 27 points from 22 outings.