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Ryuji Sueoka cut through the Mumbai FC defence to score the lone and winning goal for Salgaocar SC, in their 14th
round I-League football championship match at the Balewadi Sports Complex on Sunday.
The Goans made a sedate start to the match allowing Mumbai FC to make some inroads, but openings were hard to come by despite concerted efforts by captain Noel Wilson and his fellow midfielders Cavin Lobo and Abhishek Yadav.
This was third match at the Balewadi Complex in two days and it seemed that the encounter was heading towards a draw before the Japanese sensation drew the first blood in the 79th minute of the match.
A few minutes before Ebi Sukore and Gbemene Friday had given a fright to Salgaocar when Cavin and Keegan Pereira worked the ball from the middle to set up Ebi upfront. He went right into the box with Friday in tow, but the two failed to get the opening as Vinay Singh blocked their view and attempt.
On the counterattack, Sueoka got the ball at half-line and he seemed to looking for a striker up but instead made a sprint cutting through Mumbai FC midfield before the fast approaching four defenders were foxed with one clever tap.
Sueoka turned and raced ahead to collect the ball and fire on the left of the outstretched Ishan Debnath. The goal sent Goans into loud celebrations as the defending champions finally broke into the 20-point barrier.
Salgaocar now have 22 points as does Prayag United SC but are placed No 7 on goal difference. While Mumbai FC have 14 points from 14 matches.
