Victorino Fernandes scored a hat-trick as Sporting Clube de Goa qualified for the 36th Federation Cup 2015 semifinals with a 4-3 win against East Bengal Club at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Tuesday. East Bengal led 3-2 at the interval.

Victorino opened the scoring for Sporting Goa in the opening minute when he controlled a long ball and took it in his stride before slotting it into the far corner.

Within eight minutes East Bengal found the equalizer when Ranti Martins coolly stroked home from the penalty spot.

East Bengal were  in cruise control as former Sporting Goa hero Dudu Omagbemi gave East Bengal the lead and soon after scored his brace to put his side in a further commanding position.

Deep into injury time of the first half Sporting Goa’s  marquee signing Anthony Wolfe blasted in to hand the Goan side a life line and go into the changing room with their heads held high, pumped with adrenaline.

Changing over the sheer grit and determination of the Flaming Oranje, saw them work in unison to claw their way back in contention. Victorino Fernandes found a yard of space in the box to blast in the equalizer.

With time running out, Sporting Goa stepped up a gear once again and showed their desire to bag the three points. It was that man, Victorino who sprung up to fire in his third and more importantly the winner.

With this victory Sporting Clube de Goa qualified for the semi finals after collecting six points from four matches. AIFF Academy Director and Head of Coach Education Scott O’Donnell presented the Man of the Match trophy to Victorino.