Salgaocar overpower Mohammedan

Salgaocar SC made it two wins in a row, overwhelming Mohammedan Sporting Club 3-0 in their second round I-League match at the Duler Stadium, Mapusa, in Goa on Sunday. Scottish striker Darryl Duffy opened the account for Salgaocar three minutes before the end of the first session, while a goal apiece from Claude Gnakpa and Augustine Fernandes in the second session helped Derrick Pereira’s side garner six points from two matches. Pereira fielded an unchanged side from the one that defeated Churchill Brothers in the opening game and they took little time in dictating terms. Strikers Duffy and Gnakpa in particular were a constant threat. Salgaocar broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute when Francis Fernandes, Clifton Dias and Duffy played delightful short passes inside the danger zone and were lucky that goalkeeper Somnath Khara was not alert to the situation. Early in the second session, Mohammedan could have clawed back into the game after Karanjit misjudged Gurung’s cross. Fortunately for the hosts, Josimar could not capitalise. Salgaocar made it 2-0 after Gnakpa made the best of goalkeeper Khara’s decision to leave his crease. Khara fumbled and allowed Gnakpa a clear look at the goal for a two-goal lead in the 47th minute. In the 64th minute, Augustine Fernandes headed Gilbert Oliveira’s cross from the left to seal all comeback routes for the visitors. Elsewhere, a first-half strike by John Johnson helped Bengaluru FC beat United Sports Club by a solitary goal in their Round 3 match at the Bengaluru Football Stadium. The win propelled them to the top of the points table with seven points from three matches.