Sporting Clube de Goa concluded their I-League 2 season with a 1-2 defeat against Sporting Club Bengaluru on Friday afternoon at the Bambolim Stadium. The result leaves the Flaming Oranje with a final tally of 10 points from eight matches following a closely contested fixture.
The match had its first moment of high tension in the 19th minute when Sporting goalkeeper Abhimanyu Singh was forced to charge out of his penalty area to intercept a dangerous ball. He managed to secure the catch just as he retreated back across the line, showcasing clinical timing to neutralise the threat while staying within his box.
The visitors eventually capitalized on their momentum in the 28th minute. After Devadath S sent an initial header wide from a Karthick Thirumalai cross, the pair combined again seconds later. Devadath S flicked a header into the path of Thirumalai, who broke clear on the left to strike the opening goal.
The lead was extended in the 56th minute when Thirumalai found space inside the Sporting box once again, finishing from close range to secure his second of the match.
Sporting Clube de Goa rallied in the final quarter and pulled a goal back in the 78th minute. Ivon Costa stood over a free kick and dispatched a curling strike over the wall and into the net. Despite late pressure from the home side to find an equaliser, Sporting Club Bengaluru held their defensive shape until the final whistle.
