Current I-League leaders Sporting Clube de Goa [Images] began their campaign in the 30th Federation Cup on a disastrous note, going down 0-2 to JCT in a Group C encounter at the Vidyasagar Krirangan in Barasat on Thursday.

The Goan side's performance was in stark contrast to that of the I-League which allowed JCT to dictate terms and settle the issue in the first half itself.

Balwant Singh gave JCT the lead in the 23rd minute, converting a corner from Julius Akpele. Julius's flag kick took a prodigious turn and Balwant capitalised on a goalmouth melee to head home the opener.

Five minutes before the breather JCT got their second.

Brazilian Eduardo Escobar collected a Julius through pass and slammed the ball home.

The goals exposed Sporting Clube's vulnerability in defence. They tried to bounce back and made a few sorties on the rival defence but poor finishing dashed their hopes.

Sporting Clube coach Vishwas Gaonkar admitted the defensive lapses.

"Our boys did not play to their potential. They looked relaxed and our defence did not do well. We really have to step up the gear now to keep our semi-final hopes alive," said the coach.

The Goan outfit got a chance to reduce the margin after Nathaniel Amos was brought down near the edge of the box. But the free-kick from Wilton Gomes was wayward.

JCT had a chance to boost their tally but Daljit Singh's effort lacked direction.

Coach Sukhwinder Singh was happy with the performance.

"It's a refreshing start. We're deserved victors today, with the boys doing a good job. They created chances and finished well. We had problems in the first 10-15 minutes but from thereon we dominated throughout," said Singh.

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