His lone strike secures them a 1-0 win over TRAU; SAT hold Chanmari in 1-1 draw
Manipur : Sporting Clube de Goa maintained their impressive away form with a 1-0 triumph over Tiddim Road Athletic Union (TRAU) at Khuman Lampak Stadium in Manipur on Thursday. Vikram Venkatachalam netted a crucial second-half goal, helping his side secure all three points. With the win, Sporting Clube moved to 25 points from 13 matches, while TRAU stayed at 8 points.
The first half began with an impressive play as striker Vikram threaded a precise pass along the floor to Naocha, who squared it up perfectly for a brilliant opportunity but the attack came to nothing. However, another cross soon took a deflection over Vikram and dropped just beyond Naocha, narrowly missing a chance.
Biswa Darejee then went for a curler, aiming for the top corner, but his effort missed the target. Moments later, both Biswa and Darjee missed a high cross intended for the far post, unable to capitalize on the opportunity.
As the first half drew to a close, Doyal Alves passed it to Sushil Metei, but his shot sailed over the post, unable to break the deadlock. The first half ended in a goalless stalemate, with both teams failing to find the back of the net.
In the second half, the visitors pushed hard for a breakthrough. Sushil sent a well-weighted pass to striker Vikram, but couldn’t convert, missing a golden chance. Sporting Clube de Goa kept up the pressure, trying to unlock the home side’s defense.
Six minutes into the second half, Captain Dattaraj Gaonkar took a shot following a corner from midfielder Biswa, but unfortunately, he overhit it, sending the ball wide of the target.
As the game neared its end, Vikram came close with a powerful volley that rattled the crossbar, just inches away from giving the visitors the lead. But with only three minutes remaining, Vikram finally found the breakthrough in the 88th minute, netting his second goal of the season—his first from open play—to give the visitors a late lifeline in an intense encounter.
Sporting Clube de Goa will next be in action against Neroca FC on April 11 at Khuman Lampak Stadium in Manipur.
Meanwhile, SAT and Chanmari FC played out a 1-1 draw at Payanad Stadium Manjeri, Kerala.
With the stalemate, Chanmari remain second with 30 points from 14 matches, just five points ahead of Sporting Clube, who now have an opportunity to close the gap.
After a goalless first half, Vincent Lalduhawma put Chanmari ahead in the 54th minute, but Lijo responded for SAT, ensuring both sides walked away with a point.
