Vasco rout ITI, avenge first leg defeat

Vasco Sports Club, Goa, stayed in the race for the Tata National Football League title, scoring a 3-0 victory over Indian Telephone Industries, Bangalore, in a 21st round match at the Nehru stadium in Margao, Goa, On Tuesday.

All the goals were scored in the first half.

Rui Wanderley found the mark twice, in the ninth and 34th minutes, while Jose Luciano Guabiraba, 38th minute, accounted for the third goal.

The victory swelled their points tally to 40. ITI have 30 points after 21 outings.

ITI had beaten Vasco 3-1 in the first leg meeting in Bangalore.

Vasco play their last match against JCT on April 15, at Ludhiana.

Vasco, who have bettered their performance with every outing, were outstanding. They toyed with the rival defence right from the word go and drew first blood as early as in the ninth minute of the contest through their ace striker Wanderely. Agnelo Gomes, after receiving the ball at the top of the box, unleashed a shot which the ITI goalkeeper failed to collect cleanly. The ball rebounded towards Wanderely, who was lurking inside the box. He pounced on the opportunity and tapped it into the net 1-0.

The home team had a chance to increase the lead in the 18th minute when Wanderely dribbled his way past a rival defender from the right flank and floated the ball to well-positioned Agnelo Gomes but the latter's header sailed over the bar.

After some persistent raids, Vasco tasted success again in the 34th minute through Wanderely. His volley, after receiving a cross from right flank from Marcos Pereira, found the net.

Vasco consolidated their lead in the 38th minute through Luciano, whose diving header from a free-kick by Marcos Pereira deceived rival goalkeeper N Balaji.

There was not much of action in the second half as Vasco played a defensive game.

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