PANAJI
Sporting Clube de Goa extended their strong home form with a commanding 2-0 victory over United Sports Club at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim.
A first-half brace from Kunal Kundaikar secured all three points for Sporting, taking their tally to 22 from 12 matches, while United SC remained on 16 points from 13 games.
The visitors nearly stunned Sporting early on when their first effort rattled the crossbar, but the hosts quickly settled into their rhythm. Doyal and Kunal combined well on the right flank, with Kunal’s low cross forcing a corner. From the resulting set piece, Samuel’s delivery was flicked on by Vikram, finding an unmarked Kunal at the far post, who calmly nodded it past the keeper to put Sporting ahead.
United SC continued to threaten but were denied again by the woodwork. This time, Tarak weaved his way inside from the right and unleashed a powerful shot from distance, only to see it crash off the post. Sporting, too, had a golden opportunity to double their lead when Samuel’s free-kick found Joyner Lourenco at the far post, but the defender failed to keep his composure, firing wide from close range.
Kunal, however, made no mistake in the 30th minute, producing a moment of brilliance with a long-range strike that left the United SC goalkeeper with no chance, doubling Sporting’s advantage.
The second half saw both sides pushing forward, but neither could capitalize on their chances, ensuring Sporting Clube de Goa wrapped up a crucial 2-0 victory.
