I-League Media team

GOA: Sporting Clube de Goa scored a stunning 2-1 victory over Mohun Bagan to haul themselves out of the relegation zone and cripple Bagan’s chances of winning the coveted title.

Odafa Okolie was the man who destroyed Mohun Bagan with two classy goals in a I-League clash at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Saturday, while Katsumu Yusa had drawn level for the visitors.

Mohun Bagan took to the field knowing they had to put the string of disappointing results behind them and stitch a couple of wins that can take them closer to the title. The visitors controlled the proceedings amicably and gave the rival defence a few nervous moments at the start of the match.

Sony Norde, as usual, was a thorn in the rival defender’s flesh and he created a couple of chances for his teammates. The best came early in the game when he saw Pierre Boya unmarked and the Cameroonian midfielder picked out Balwant Singh. The India striker was quick with his shot which landed straight into the hands of Sporting Clube goalkeeper Ravi Kumar.

Sporting Clube took time to settle down but it was Syrian midfielder Mahmoud Al Amna who was the most creative. The Syrian midfielder was picking the gaps and in one such move found himself with space to take a shot on goal himself. He did, taking Bagan goalkeeper Debjit Majumder by surprise, but the goalkeeper was lucky to block the attempt with his outstretched leg.

Another chance fell at the feet of Victorino Fernandes when Mahmoud had sent a brilliant through ball but Victorino delayed and allowed his marker, Bello Rasaq, to dispossess him.

Sporting Clube were now looking dangerous upfront but lacked sharpness infront of goal. Nowhere was it better dramatized than the closing stages of the first session when Mahmoud spotted Brandon unmarked but the midfielder’s attempt from close range just sailed wide.

Bagan did not put enough pressure on the Sporting Clube defence with Balwant Singh and, sometimes Pierre Boya, restricting their attempts to long rangers.

In the second session, Sporting Clube tasted success for the first time in the match through Bagan’s former player, Odafa Okolie. The Nigerian striker surprised all and sundry in the 70th minute when he rose high to meet a cross from Brandon Fernandes, after Alber Gonsalves and Prathesh Shirodkar had done well from a short corner.

Three minutes later, Bagan were back in the game, and it was no surprise that Sony Norde, Bagan’s best player, was at the heart of it all. The Haitian international worked his way on the left and then crossed for Katsumi Yusa to tap into the goal.

Just when it seemed like the teams would share the spoils, Odafa showed his magic. The Nigerian striker was inside the danger zone to tap a header from Pritam Kotal and Odafa surprised everyone with a brilliant flick from a difficult angle for the winner in the 87th minute.

Hero of the Match: Odafa Okolie (SCG)