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It was a tale of two halves at the Ambedkar Stadium on Saturday (December 8, 2012). If hosts ONGC had the clear upper hand in the first, visitors Sporting Clube de Goa wrestled their way back in the second to end the 10th round I League match 2-2 here.
While Kenistan C. and Eric Brown scored for the Subrata Bhattacharya coached outfit in the 8th and 13th minute respectively, Ogba Kalu and Seiya Sugishita found the back of the net in the span of two minutes after the lemon break.
ONGC had their noses in front in the opening exchanges. David Lairinmuama’s shot from just outside the box was fisted away by Sporting custodian Angelo Gomes but only as far as Kenistan who made no mistake from close range with the goal at his mercy. Five minutes later ONGC’S Nigerian marksman Eric Brown doubled the lead with a deft left footer.
Sporting’s newly appointed coach Spaniard Oscar Bruzon’s tactics of playing possession football was evident from the lion’s share of possession the Goan side enjoyed in the first half.
Playing at home after three matches, ONGC looked sharp on the counter with the visitor’s porous rearguard helping the cause on two occasions.
Sporting looked a different side in the second half playing with much more intent. It paid off in the 67thminute when Jovel Martins earned a penalty in the 66th minute. Ogba Kalu reduced the margin from the spot.
Two minutes later, Japanese striker Seiya Sugishita equalised two minutes later after substitute Obiora Andrue set him up just outside the box. One on one with the goalkeeper, Sugishita slotted home coolly to equalise.