Vasco Goa rode on Koko Sakibo’s hat-trick to beat BEML Bangalore 5-2 in a Pool ‘B’ quarterfinal league match of the G.V. Raja all-India football tournament at the University stadium here on Wednesday.
Sakibo netted in the 36th, 48th and 70th minutes while Prasantha Chakraborthy (57th) and Joey Ferro (88th) scored the other goals for the Goan side.
The Bangalore side suffered its second straight defeat and bowed out of the tournament.
Vasco will have to beat Josco FC in the last league match to qualify as the Kochi side is better placed on goal average. Josco only needs a draw to qualify for the semifinals.
BEML, which went down to Josco 4-0 in the opening match, gave a much improved performance today and even went ahead in the 31st minute through Nigerian Jagaba Hamza Anaba.
But slack defending let the Goans off the hook. Sakibo was allowed to roam freely inside the box and the striker punished the Bangalore side for its folly. There was certainly a lack of understanding among the defenders and on a few occasions, goalkeeper Rajan had to rush out of the penalty box to clear away the ball.
The Banglore side announced its positive intent when Anaba elicited a smart save from the Vasco goalkeeper in the 10th minute. Vasco came near to scoring in the 20th minute when Prasanth Chakraborthy’s pile driver hit the upright. Anaba headed in a cross from Gopinath to secure lead for Bangalore side.
But five minutes later Koko restored parity as he moved into the box after receiving a pass from Sachin Gawas and with a stiff shot beat Rajan.
Koko increased the lead for Vasco in the 48th minute shooting from close after wrongfooting two defenders. The goal rejuvenated the Goan side which attacked with more flourish and fury. Joey Ferro’s booming shot from close hit the left post in the 53rd minute but Prasanth Chakraborthy made it 3-1 in the 57th minute. Bangalore side raised visions of a fightback as Govinda pulled one back in the 59th minute.
But the Goans didn’t slacken the pace and continued to pile pressure on its rival. Koko completed his hat-trick in the 70th minute latching on to the rebound which came his way after goalkeeper had blocked a stiff shot from Joey.
The Goans kept pressing hard and Joey Ferro completed the tally in the 88th minute.
Source: The Hindu
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Thursday 4 February 2010, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.