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Ghanaian striker Enock Cudjoe scored a goal in added time as ONGC defeated Sporting Clube de Goa 2-1 in the AWES Cup, organised by the Association for the Wellbeing of Elder Sportspersons (AWES) in collaboration with the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) at Tilak Maidan, Vasco on Saturday.
Jagdeep Singh had given ONGC the lead in the first session but Sporting Clube de Goa did well to level scores in the 72nd minute through captain Victorino Fernandes. ONGC were then reduced to 10 men when Prathamesh Kasare was sent off in the 82nd minute. But despite the handicap, ONGC got the winner in the third minute of added time.
The win helped ONGC continue with their winning streak in the tournament and they topped group B with nine points from three matches. Sporting Clube de Goa were left with four points, the same as Gokulam Kerala FC, but qualified for the semifinals with a better goal average.
Sporting Clube de Goa will play the first semifinal against group A toppers on Tuesday.
ONGC were the better side at the start of the contest and could have surged ahead early if not for alert Sporting Clube de Goa goalkeeper Melroy Fernandes. After much probing, ONGC finally took the lead through Jagdeep Singh who connected superbly after Sunil Lohar and Cudjoe had done the spadework.
Sporting Clube de Goa were better in the second session and pressed hard for the equaliser but it was not until the 72nd minute when they found success. It was a nice through ball from Quan Gomes that started it all and Victorino did well to slide the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper.
The match seemed to be headed for a draw when ONGC defender Prathamesh Kasare was shown the red card by the referee for a foul on Glan Martins. The numerical disadvantage pegged ONGC back but the Mumbai champions did manage to get the winner when Cudjoe rose high to meet a corner kick.
Tomorrow’s Match
FC Pune City vs Dempo SC – Tilak Maidan (4pm)
