Source: AIFF
NEW DELHI: Two freekicks by Agnelo Colaco in the second half enabled Vasco SC to come back from a goal behind to beat Langsning FC 2-1 and qualify for the final round of the 2nd division League at the Ambedkar Stadium on Monday. Trailing by a Vanlalnundanga goal at the interval, Colaco, the free-kick specialist saw his team through with two superb dead ball executions.
Langsning started on an attacking note which kept the Vasco goalkeeper Agnelo Noronha busy under the bar. They did enjoy territorial domination and even penetrated a number of times but failed to capitalise and eventually paid the price. They even had a Victor Shadap goal disallowed in the 34th minute but the linesman ruled him off-side.
However, their efforts bore fruit when Vanlalnudanga’s header off a Nabachandra Singh centre found the back of the net in the injury time of the first half.
The script early in the second half was no different. Langsning kept up the pressure but were not able to add to their tally.
Having little option left, Vasco counter-attacked. In the 67th minute, they restored parity off a free-kick. Agnelo curled it in from 20 yards to breathe life into the match. The freekick was awarded after Agnelo was tripped from behind.
Spurred, Vasco went all out. In the 85th minute, Agnelo scored again – this time off another free-kick. Isa Ali was tripped just outside the box and Agnelo executed it to perfection.
Vasco coach Valentine Ezeugo was ecstatic after the victory. “The boys stuck to the strategy. We won a tough game against a quality side,” he maintained. “This is just the first step, in the final phase we would face much tougher opponents, we need to stay focused for our future endeavors,” he added.
With this win Vasco finished on 16 points from 7 matches while Langsning stayed on 13 points from 7 outings.
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