Mapusa: Prayag United Sports Club completed a hat-trick of wins as they came from behind to defeat Sporting Clube de Goa 2-1 in an I-League match at the Duler Stadium in Mapusa, on Saturday. After victories over Dempo Sports Club and Pune FC, Prayag United started as favourites against Clube but Ogba Kalu's strike in the 24th minute seemed to upset the momentum of the Kolkata giants.
Prayag, however turned the match around in the second half when Ranty Martins equalised in the 48th minute and Bello Rasaq scored the winner with a majestic free-kick in the 77th. Both teams started cautiously and it was not until the 20th minute when one got to see goal-mouth action as Ranty tested the rival goalkeeper with a couple of long rangers.
Sporting surged ahead much against the run of play in the 24th minute when a smart free-kick from Pratesh Shirodkar saw Kalu receive the ball outside the box and unleash a fierce drive that deflected off a defender and crashed into the net. The goal stunned Prayag United, and although they were in control, there were not much openings.
The only chance of the first half was when Costa Rican World Cupper Carlos Hernandez's powerful long ranger was tipped over the post by Sporting goalkeeper Ashok Singh. Prayag got the equaliser immediately after resumption of play in the second session. A long ball from Prayag's half was hesitantly covered by the Sporting defenders allowing Ranty the space to toe the ball home.
They secured full points in the 77th minute when Sporting conceded a free-kick just outside the box. Bello stepped up and curled the ball into the goal to give the visitors deserving full points.
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