New Delhi: Goan giants Vasco Sports Club edged past underdogs Oil India 1-0 in Group D of the Federation Cup on Tuesday at the Barasat Stadium.
The first half was a mixed affair with neither side being able to assert themselves emphatically over the other.
It were the underdogs Oil India who had the game's first chance when Durga Bare looped a left footer just over the bar from near the left edge of the Vasco penalty inside the first 15 seconds.
Oil India continued going on the attack and did most of the running in the initial exchanges. But they never really came close except with that Durga chance in the first minute.
Vasco though were not going to sit back and soak the pressure. The Goan side started launching their own attacks.
In the 21st minute Nazarov Sherzod had a great chance when he controlled a long ball with his right foot and then hoodwinked two defenders. But he failed to contain his composure and shot straight at the goalkeeper.
The match went flat after that with neither side able to dominate. But it became lively again in the 40th minute when Vasco's Elvino Fernandes was adjudged to have brought down Durga inside Vasco's penalty area and the referee decided to award Vasco a penalty.
Oil India striker Mezekiel Okwuelu stepped up to take the penalty but it was saved by the Vasco custodian.
The second half was a more entertaining affair with Vasco going all out for the kill as they knew that a victory was a must for them in this match if they were eager to march onto the semi-finals of the Federation Cup.
Although they did try and carve out opportunities, they did not come too close.
The first decent chance for either side fell to Oil India's Mathewj Thengson but his long shot was hit straight at the Vasco custodian.
Durga Bare had another decent chance with a long ranger in the 62nd minute but he too failed to get it past the Vasco goalie.
Vasco then took their chance in the 70th minute when Ravashan Teshabaev headed home from a corner.
That gave Vasco a 1-0 lead and they held onto that advantage for the rest of the match.
Goalscorer:
Vasco Sports Club: Ravashan Teshabaev (70th minute)
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