I-League: Sporting Clube de Goa travel to Kolkata to face United SC

Sporting Clube de Goa practice

Sporting Clube de Goa will lock horns with United SC in a round 2 match of the 2013/14 I-League at the Kalyani Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The match was supposed to kick off at 3 pm, but due to the cloudy weather in Kalyani, it was decided at the managers’ meeting that the game will now start at 2.30 pm to avoid darkness getting in the way of the match.

Sporting Goa drew 1-1 with Mumbai FC in their opening game of the season and is eagerly in search of their first win to get their campaign well and truly going. Against Mumbai FC, it was Nigerian midfielder Ogba Kalu who netted a second half equalizer from the spot.

Sporting Goa’s Spanish Coach Oscar Bruzon believes experienced Kalu is a little bit short of match fitness having joined the pre-season training late and has left him out of the squad for this tie.

“Kalu has been the club’s top goalscorer for the last two seasons and his consistency has made him one of the greatest players to have played in the I-League. I am sure he will return sharper than ever and show the fans what he is really capable off,” reasoned Oscar.

Dawson Fernandes, Victorino Fernandes and Liberian Boima Jerry Karpeh are expected to spearhead the attack for Sporting Goa.

After a very good display against Sesa Football Academy in the Goa Pro League recently, Sporting Goa defender Joyner Lourenco has been rewarded with a recall into the squad.

United SC come into the game with three points have defeated newcomers Rangdajied United FC 2-0 in their opening encounter, with dangerman Ranti Martins Soleye and the Liberian Eric Brown on target.

Interestingly when the two clubs met last season in the I-League, it was the Flaming Oranje who won 3-1 in Kolkata, while in the return game United SC won 2-1 in Goa.