Daijiworld Media Network - Ranchi
Ranchi, Aug 7: Brazilian forward Rodriguinho starred on his first start for SC Delhi, scoring five goals in a commanding 7-0 victory over Defenders FC in a Group C match of the 135th Durand Cup at the Birsa Munda Stadium on Friday.
Mohammed Aimen and substitute Juan Sebastian Peña also found the net as SC Delhi registered their second successive win to move to the top of the Group C standings with six points from two matches, edging closer to a quarterfinal berth.
Defenders FC, meanwhile, ended their group campaign without a point after suffering a third straight defeat.
SC Delhi head coach Tomasz Tchórz handed Rodriguinho his first start, replacing Joseph Sunny, while Colombian forward Duvan Mina also came into the starting XI in place of the suspended Ashutosh Mehta. Defenders FC made one change, with S. Aravinraj replacing A.A. Joseph in attack.
SC Delhi made a blistering start, racing to a 3-0 lead within the opening 13 minutes through Rodriguinho's rapid-fire hat-trick.
The Brazilian opened the scoring with a fine piece of individual skill, controlling the ball on his chest before turning his marker and finishing calmly with his left foot.
He doubled the lead a minute later after being played through by Mohammed Aimen, slotting home another left-footed finish into the bottom corner.
Rodriguinho completed his hat-trick soon after when Yanglem Sanatomba Singh squared the ball across the goal following a long pass from Mohammed Azhar, allowing the Brazilian to tap home from close range.
SC Delhi made it 4-0 in the 34th minute when Mohammed Aimen controlled a long ball from Lalrinliana Hnamte before lifting his effort over the advancing goalkeeper.
The hosts dominated the opening half, enjoying 61 per cent possession and converting four of their five shots on target, while Defenders FC managed only one attempt before the break.
After the interval, SC Delhi introduced Juan Sebastian Peña and Mohammed Kaif, with Peña immediately testing goalkeeper T.S. Priyashan twice from long range.
Defenders FC showed improved organisation in the second half and restricted SC Delhi's clear chances for much of the period. Their first shot on target came only in the 85th minute when L.C.P.K. Rathnayaka forced a comfortable save from Nora Fernandes.
SC Delhi regained complete control in the closing stages as Rodriguinho struck his fourth goal in the 89th minute with a curling left-footed effort from outside the box.
Substitute Peña added the sixth goal in stoppage time after dribbling past two defenders before finishing clinically.
Rodriguinho completed a memorable evening in the fifth minute of added time, scoring his fifth goal with another composed left-footed finish to seal a comprehensive 7-0 victory.
Saturday's fixtures:
Shillong Lajong FC vs Mumbay FC – Group E, 4 pm, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong.
NorthEast United FC vs Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC – Group F, 7 pm, Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati.