Courageous Sporting Clube de Goa moved into the semi-finals after hammering Air India 4-1 in the final Group B match of the Durand Cup at Raia Panchayat Ground, on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Sporting Goa led 3-0 at the interval.

Sporting Goa coach Oscar Bruzon made two changes to the starting line up from the previous game. Creson Antao came into the defence in place of Keenan Almeida, while local boy Velito Cruz was drafted into the midfield to fill the boots of Rowllin Borges.

Sporting Goa surged ahead inside the first fifteen minutes after Anthony Wolfe was sent crashing to the ground inside the box. Captain Boima Karpeh stepped up to place home the resulting penalty for the Flaming Oranje.

Sporting Goa started to dominate proceedings and it was not too long before they doubled their lead when Cajetan Fernandes tapped in a rebound after Anthony Wolfe’s stinging drive was parried by the Air India goalkeeper.

Just before the lemon break, Joseph Clemente produced a moment of magic as he struck an absolute gem of a shot from 30 yards which looped in over the goalkeeper’s head and sent the surprised crowd into raptures.

Post resumption, Sporting Goa continued where they left off by switching the attack from flank to flank. Sporting Goa’s Anthony Wolfe who was looking menacing all game, sprung up to slot in the fourth to put the Goan outfit in a commanding position.

In the closing stages, Air India came up with a deserving goal through substitute Neil Gaikwad, but it proved nothing more than a consolation for his side.