Sporting Clube de Goa registered a sensational home win with a 5-1 victory over Shillong Lajong FC in a thrilling I-League encounter at the Duler Stadium on Saturday.

Visiting Shillong Lajong started the first half brightly; having more ball possession and creating many chances. Keeping the momentum up, their efforts were rewarded when Japanese recruit Taiuske Matsugae drew first blood with a superb strike beating two defenders and slotted the ball home in the 14th minute.

The Flaming Organe immediately responded by pressing forward for the equaliser and almost managed to cancel Lajong’s lead in the 20th minute but Kalu’s bicycle kick that went to the back of the net was not counted as the referee ruled it offside.

It was only in the 26th minute that the home team drew level when a cross by Borges found Kalu, who made no mistake in heading the ball into the back of the net beating Lajong custodian Lalthuanmawia Ralte.

From then on, it was Sporting who dominated the rest of the first half. A big chance for the home team came in the 30th minute when Kalu had an easy chance in front of goal but his shot went straight to the Lajong keeper and hence the first half ended all square.

In the second half, the men in orange seemed more eager to go in front as they were controlling play by having more possession and posed a major threat to the Lajong defence.

Their hard work was rewarded when Ogba Kalu scored a goal in the 58th minute via Arturo Garcia’s low free kick giving the home team a 2-1 lead at the hour mark.

Most of the second half was played in Lajong’s half as Sporting continued to pile the pressure with numerous chances. In the 64th minute, Boima Karpeh made a solo run on the left flank dribbling past Lajong defenders and successfully put the ball behind Mawia giving Sporting a two goal cushion over their opponents.

Just two minutes later, Kalu completed his hat trick with a header from a corner kick. Lajong had a mountain to climb as the odds were against them trailing 4-1 with just 25 minutes of the game remaining.

Luck was definitely on Oscor Bruzon’s side as they displayed a stunning performance and Victorino Fernandes also registered his name on the scoresheet in extra time as he was left one on one with the keeper. He skilfully dribbled past the keeper and slotted the ball to the back of the net as Samuel and Wailad failed to block the ball.

Lajong stay 4th in the I-league table with 20 points and they will play host to Dempo SC on December 21, whilst 2nd placed Sporting Clube de Goa will play host to United Sports Club on the same day.