Goa, Feb. 3 -- Team Herald

sports@herald-goa.com

KOLKATA: Sporting Clube de Goa's I-League 2 campaign began with a hard-fought 1-2 defeat against Diamond Harbour FC at the Naihati Stadium, here.

Diamond Harbour struck first in the 35th minute when Naro Hari Shreshta converted from the penalty spot. The hosts were reduced to 10-man in the 56th minute but held their ground before Girik Khosla sealed the victory in the 89th minute, finishing off a precise cross from Dilip Oraon.

Sporting Clube de Goa pulled one back in stoppage time through Vikram Venkatachalam, who calmly slotted home a penalty, but it was too late for a comeback.

Sporting Clube lined up with Abhimanyu Singh in goal, supported by defenders Kunal Kundaikar, Joel Colaco,...