Air India thrash HASC 1-0

Bangalore, Apr 8 (UNI) A superb header by substitute Zaheer Abbas enabled Air India to beat local league champions Hindustan Aeronautics Sports Club (HASC) 1-0 in the 12th round of the 11th ONGC Cup National Football League here today.

Both teams were locked goalless at halftime.

The lone goal of the match was scored by mid fielder Abbas, who moving quickly headed the ball, which came from the legs of defender Santhosh Koli, in the 61st minute.

Though the local lads had control over the ball in the first half they have to blame themselves since they failed in finishing. HASC should have opened the account in the 20th minute itself when striker Kutty Mani kicked the ball without much power enabling rival custodian Rajiv Ekka to collect it safely.

The visitors gained control of the match steadily while aintaining good defence even though the local lads had possessed the ball most of the time in the firsthalf.

But the second session saw Air India adopting an offencive approach and tasted success in the 61st minute. Forward Samson Singh, the second leading goal scorer in the league having scored seven goals, missed a clear chance which came in his way within minutes of Abbas scoring the lone goal.

Commotion prevailed for some time during the second half when midfielder Hringsolal Thomte indulged in verbal duel with Bhuvan Joshi and was shown yellow card by referee Shaji Kurian of Kerala.

With this win, Air India took their points tally to 17 with four wins, five draws, while HASC were languishing at the bottom of the table with six points with just one win and three draws.

UNI