Vasco edge past Fransa

Vasco halted Fransa Pax's winning ways with an exciting 3-2 win to move into ninth place in the National Football League at Nehru stadium in Margao on Friday.

Vasco, who led 2-1 at half-time scored through Sidney Rodrigues (22nd minute), Francis Fernandes (43rd) and substitute Levy Coelho (86th).

Fransa reduced the margin through Joseph Ogor's brace (28th, 76th).

Vasco with 17 points from 19 matches are at par with Churchill Brothers, but were placed ninth on account of superior goal difference.

Fransa remained on fourth place with 29 points from 19 matches.

Reeling under the pressure of relegation, Vasco made their intention clear as they went all out for a win from the start and surged ahead in the 22nd minute through a penalty.

Referee N Mohan awarded the penalty after Alex Ambrose was brought down by defender Sanjeev Maria, when he was about to score off a long through pass by Kamal Thapa. Rodrigues who took the spot kick, converted it by beating goalkeeper Kalyan Choubey to his right.

Fransa fought back and equalised six minutes later when Ogor scored off a free kick past the rival wall into the net.

Vasco, playing with determination, again took the lead three minutes before the interval.

Fernandes accepting a pass from Menino Fernandes took a rival defender in his stride and almost from the edge of the box essayed a right footer that found the far end of the net to have Vasco leading 2-1 at half-time.

Vasco could have increased the lead after the change of ends, but Fabio Soares who had only keeper at his mercy shot straight at him who managed to put the ball out.

Surviving a close chance, Fransa made a counter move and again found the equaliser in the 76th minute when substitute Biju Kumar from the right snatched the ball and laid a pass to Ogor.

Ogor, who sprinted down the right, sent an angular drive from the edge of the box that found the far corner of the net.

Vasco piled up pressure in the closing stages and substitute Coelho who had scored the equaliser against Mohun Bagan scored the winner when he banged home from close a cross by Kamal Thapa to give Vasco their fourth win.