A goal in each half was enough for Sporting Clube de Goa [Images] to get past 2005 champions Army XI 2-1 in the pre-quarter-finals of Osian's Durand Cup football tournament at the Ambedkar Stadium in Delhi on Friday.

Goals from Nigerian Olushola Ogundare (eighth minute) and substitute Bibiano Fernandes (66th) saw off the challenge of the valiant soldiers, who gave the Goan outfit a good fight.

Ramachandran pulled one back in the 92nd minute but it was nothing more than consolation.

Army XI had beaten Sporting Clube de Goa in the final two years ago via the penalty shoot-out and coach Peter Vales's side will be happy that they did not slip on this banana peel.

However, Army XI, coached by national assistant coach Stanley Rozario, was busy with the World Cup qualifiers against Lebanon, were not disgraced by their performance.

Sporting took an early lead when Nigerian Olushola Ogundare headed home a cross from the right in the eighth minute, beating keeper Robikanta Singh.

The Armymen were not cowed down by the early setback and kept coming forward in search of the equaliser.

The first half was evenly contested though without rising to any great heights. Apart from the goal, there were few goalmouth opportunities with the battle mainly confined to midfield.

Army put up a better display in the second period and was in the game for as long as they trailed by a solitary goal. However, as they failed to find the net, gaps in their defence gave Sporting chances at the other end.

A strong shot from Joseph Pereira was tipped past the post while Ogundare hit the crossbar from an acute angle.

But it was a defensive lapse in the box that effectively sealed Army XI's fate.

A faulty clearance inside the Army penalty area gifted the ball to Ogundare, who found Fernandes with a cut back. The wily midfielder set himself up and took his time before finding the bottom corner of the net.

Armymen Nguerneilal, Thirunavakarasu, Laldinglina, Irudaya Raj, Ramachandran and K P Kabui, who played a major part in their title run two years ago, could not create many scoring opportunities and even when they found them, poor finishing let them down.

However, they continued coming forward and were vulnerable to the quick counter-attack.

One of these found Ogundare stealing the ball in the midfield and running at pace towards goal. He provided compatriot Eze Isiocha, who had come in place of Ambani, with a great opportunity but the Nigerian's effort went just wide.

Army had a golden opportunity inside the rival penalty area when Ramachandran had to control a high bouncing ball and hit the target, but he delayed and his shot and it was blocked.

The soldiers got the goal they deserved from virtually the last kick of the match.

Sporting custodian Luis Barreto dropped an innocuous looking ball inside the penalty area and the chance fell invitingly to Ramachandran, who for once, made no mistake.

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