Sporting hold Royal Wahingdoh

Sporting Clube de Goa and Royal Wahingdoh played out a goalless draw in the 15th round of the Hero I-League, played at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda here.
It was a thrilling contest as both the teams played attacking game, but Sporting dominated in the first half. While they managed to save at least six chances, their strikers lacked direction.
Royal Wahingdoh, who were forced to defend in the first half, came back strongly in the second and had a couple of close chances but they failed to utilise those.
In the previous game against Dempo FC, Sporting were denied their first win because of goalkeeping and defensive lapses. They today made two changes, bringing in keeper Ravi Kumar and Anthony Wolfe in place of Lalit Thapa and Velito D'Cruz.

Royal Wahingdoh defense did well with goalkeeper Nikhil Bernard denying Sandesh Jhingan, Odafe Okolie and Mahmoud Al Amna from scoring.
Woodwork, too, came to the rescue of the visitors when Jhingan header came off the cross bar in the second half.

Royal Wahingdoh, who had a dream run in this league, also made two changes by bringing in keeper Nikhil Bernard and Lalmangaihsanga in place of Prem Kumar Singh and Govin Singh.
But surprising they were a subdued side today in the first half, and the only time they tested the rival keeper was late in the first half. It was when a stunning shot by Bekay Bawar from top of the box was collected by keeper Ravi Kumar.

However, the visitors looked a different side in the second half as they went into the attack and came close to scoring on at least three occasions with Jackichand, Densil Theobald and Beekay Bewar.
Sporting went all out in the dying minutes in search of the elusive goal, but they were reduced to 10 men in the 89th minute when Jovel Martins received a double booking from referee Rahul D'Sa for a foul on Beekay Bawar.
Sporting has remained at the bottom of the table with just seven points from 13 matches, while Royal Wahingdoh are placed second with 22 points from 13 matches.