Odafa Strikes Twice To Earn Maiden Home Win For Oranje

by FC admin February 15, 2016

GOA: Odafa Okolie scored twice from the spot in the second half to secure a 3-2 to win for Sporting Clube De Goa against Mumbai FC, on Sunday.

Sporting Clube de Goa made four changes to their starting line-up from their previous game against Salgaocar FC as Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Dharamaraj Ravanan, Ganesh Thakur and Marcus Mascarenhas included in the starting XI.
Mumbai FC however, remained unchanged from their last outing when they shared the pie with defending champions Mohun Bagan at the Cooperage.
The first chance came for the home team as Odafa’s free kick deflected to Loveday who let loose from 30 yards and forced a remarkable save from Pawan Kumar. Odafa continued creating chances, the next one coming in the 17th minute where his through ball found Ganesh Thakur’s diagonal run but his shot was blocked by Minchol Son.
Mumbai FC broke the deadlock in the 17th minute as Sushil Singh toe-pocked one into the back of the net after a tad scramble in the box.

Sporting responded without any delay through Nicholas Fernandes who was set up nicely by Odafa Okolie and the winger made no mistake in burying his drive into the bottom corner. The scoreline remained level pegging at the half-time despite a plethora of chances going both ways.

Mumbai FC took the lead for the second time when Arata Izumi danced past his markers on the counter-attack and sent Sushil Singh a through ball who chipped the ball over an onrushing Arindam Bhattacharya to make it 2-1 in the 57th minute.

Sporting restored parity within ten minutes after Glan Martins was brought down in the box with a high boot and Odafa sent Pawan the wrong way to make it 2-2.

Mumbai FC had a couple of chances through Sushil Singh but he was flagged offside both times. Arata Izumi had a glorious chance in the 81st minute after Eric Brown found him in the box but his shot went inches wide.
Sporting earned another penalty in the 86th minute and once again Odafa dispatched it coolly to sit in the driver’s seat for the first time.

Sporting Clube de Goa picked up their first win at home and jumped to 4th spot on the table, having gathered 11 points. Mumbai FC meanwhile, couldn’t earn a win in their last three matches.