Unbeaten Sao Paulo blank JCT 3-0

NEW DELHI, Feb 11: Super Soccer needed a super sopper but the overnight rains ensured that the home team had something to scream for in the final leg of the Sao Paulo tour.
The Brazilian team finally caught JCT by the scruff of their necks, scoring in the second half and prevailing 3-0 but not before Karanjit Singh demonstrated his litheness under the bar and the rest of the troop shielded their fort with fortitude.
Nature's intervention meant that the samba boys didn't have the privilege of an ideal surface to shimmy on although the athletic Karanjit had to stave off efforts from Marco Antonio, Andre, Jean and Hernanes to keep JCT afloat in the first half.
In fact, the visitors were reduced to attempting long rangers as they couldn't find space to operate while the Ludhiana team, on their part, had opportunities to concoct a surprise intro when Baldip Singh Jr forced a save from Mateus and before the stroke of halftime, Rennedy Singh's freekick went agonisingly close.
This Sao Paulo reserves squad has the tendency to overhaul opponents in the second half of the show and a similar tale unfolded at the Ambedkar Stadium.
After Karanjit had gallantly produced a double save, Francisco Alex, who was virtually non-existent in the first half, authoritatively trapped Andre's pass and dexterously slotted it past Karanjit at the far post.
The 65th minute goal seemed to break JCT's resolve and Sao Paulo upped the ante as the tempo of the game subsided. The floodgates opened, and the players had the width to dribble, pass and sweep the spectators off their feet.
Fleet-footed Hernanes seemed like Hermes in disguise and Marco Antonio, Andre and Paulo enjoyed some target practice. It was Francisco who again popped up in the 74th minute, dummied with Da Silva to hoodwink Rennedy, capped it with some nimble footwork and crowned it with another fluid finish.
While the spectators were urging JCT to score a consolation goal, Casao's header from an 82nd minute corner kick skidded past Karanjit to round off the presentation.
Consequently, Paulo Matos was illegally brought down in the area but referee Subroto Sarkar probably thought that the crowd had seen enough. It was no carnival, JCT had their moments but Sao Paulo had no momentary lapses.