HAL settle for draw against Mohammedan

Bangalore, Apr 11 (UNI) A superb brace by Nigerian defender Eric Bolwe Muputu helped Mohammedan Sporting Club to a 2-2 draw against Hindustan Aeronautics Sports Club (HASC) in a 12th round National Football league match for the ONGC Cup, played at BDFA stadium here today.

The Kolkata challengers were at the receiving end for most part of the match with the aircraftmen, who scored once in each half, dominating the proceedings throughout. However, two goals in the last eight minutes by Muputu saved the day for Sporting.

HASC were leading by 1-0 at lemon time.

The aircraftmen took the lead in the early stages with striker S Sunil finding the net with the match just five minutes old. Sunil shot home a fine cross from Rajendra Prasad. Midfielder Murali doubled the lead for HASC with a brilliant solo effort in the 55th minute.

However, luck eluded HASC thereafter as they failed to hold on to the lead even as Sporting pressed hard. Muputu held the centre stage bringing back the Sportingmen into the contest. In the 82nd minute, Muputu headed home the first goal off a corner kick by Jatin Singh.

Five minutes later, Muputu shot home a rebound from HASC custodian Balaji who failed to collect the first timer from the same striker.

It was a forgettable show by both teams in the first half. In the second half, the visitors regrouped themselves well after HASC increased the lead to 2-0.

With this win, Mohammedan Sporting increased its points tally to 11 from 12 matches, while HASC continued to remain at the bottom of the table with seven points at the end of the 12th round.

The local lads would meet defending champions Mahindra on April 18 in their last home match.

UNI