Football: I League: Junior’s brace sinks JCT

Sporting Clube continued to keep their winning momentum going as they over came a stiff challenge to down JCT 2-1 and remain at the top of the table in the ONGC I-league at the Nehru stadium in Margao on Sunday.

Junior Obagbemiro was the star of the show for Sporting as he scored in the 29th and 47th minute, while Jagpreet Singh was the lone scorer for JCT in the 56th minute.

JCT started earnestly as they moved the ball with quick short passes followed by long over head passes to unsettle the rival defence. They had the ball possession for a long spell in the first half and have two clear chances but Eduardo failed to direct the ball on target off a cross from Balwant Singh.

Sporting, who did well to guard their citadel, came with a counter move and surged ahead in the 29th minute. Joseph Pereira’s low shot was deflected by goalkeeper Karanjit Singh on to the path of Junior, who tapped the ball in to give Sporting the lead.

The striker doubled Sporting’s lead soon after the interval when he shot home a cross from Bibiano Fernandes in the 67th minute. JCT continued to probe into the rival half and reduced the margin in the 56th minute when Jagpreet’s rasping volley from the top of the box gave no chance to goalkeeper Felix D’souza to react as the ball found the roof of the net.

Sporting, who lead the standings, now have 25 points from 11 matches, four ahead of Mohun Bagan.

Football: I-League: Air India pip JCT

Uttam Singh is turning out to be Air-India’s trump card in the ongoing I-League a la Stoke City’s midfielder Rory Delap.

The Manipuri sweeper’s patented long throw ins finally prised open JCT’s rugged defense, paving the way for substitute Samson Singh to score the match winner in the 85th minute in a seventh round match at the Cooperage on Sunday.

Ironically, it was again a short man who got the goal for Air-India from this unusual set piece.

The 1-0 victory extended Air-India’s winning streak on their home turf in this tournament and helped them to fly high to 14 points and second place, four behind leaders Sporting Clube de Goa [Images]. The Phagwara outfit, who were decidedly superior on Sunday and did not deserve to lose, stuttered to their second defeat and continue to remain in fifth spot with nine points.

It was a faulty clearance by international stopper back Anwar Ali, a rare blemish, which resulted in the throw in from the right flank that led to Air-India’s goal. Ali and his colleague Julius Akpele at the heart of the JCT defense, gave nothing way and neutralized Air-India’s occasional attacks with solid panache.

The home side, who were subdued in the first half and could not get their speedy wingers going, did create some golden opportunities as the game drew to a close with substitute Emmanuel Oveighara finding the cross bar with an acrobatic back header in the 85th minute.

Three minutes later the Nigerian striker was fractionally out of position to finish a lightning counter from the left even as Michael Tayo got to the ball and had his try deflected by goalkeeper Karanjit for a corner.

JCT had the measure of their opponents in the first session in which Eduardo Escobar da Silva was a livewire and a constant threat to the local fortress. The Brazilian was responsible for almost all the attempts and the plays and also threatened from his set pieces. However, his striking partner Balwant was not up to the challenge and was replaced after the change over by Harvinder who proved to be equally ineffective.

With the Brazilian fading out and not proving to be the same danger in the second session, Air-India were able to come more into the game. But they were even more successful in also blunting the edge of JCT’s attacks with their robust tactics.

Luckily, the free kicks they conceded in the critical areas did not prove costly.

I League Football

Here is the PTI report about JCT’s match with Vasco

Newly promoted Vasco held JCT to a goalless draw in a listless second round match of the ONGC I-League at Nehru stadium here today.
The match never rose to great heights as both the teams lacked creativity besides wasting the scoring chances that came their way.

JCT, who had more of the exchanges and scoring chances, failed to make the finishing touches with rival keeper Laxmikant Kattimani coming to his side’s rescue on a couple of occasions.

Visiting coach Sukhwinder Singh was, however, satisfied at his team’s performance although they could not collect full points.

“Collecting four points from two away matches is a satisfying result,” he said.

JCT now play Mohammedan sporting at home in their next match on October 11.

The draw ensured Vasco their first point after they lost to Sporting Clube de Goa in their earlier match.

Vasco fielded all their three foreigners for the first time but did not create much of an impact as they failed to click as a team. Their midfield made lots of errors, allowing their rivals to probe more often.

JCT, who beat defending champions Dempo in their earlier match, had at least three chances in the first half but Vasco keeper Laxmikant denied Eduardo Silva from scoring twice.

Dempo suffers a loss

Defending champions Dempo were defeated by JCT 2-1 in the I League Match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa yesterday i.e Sunday.