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Two goals in the second period enabled local outfit Air India to pull off a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Chirag United Kerala in the opening round of league games of the Under-20 I-League hosted at the Fr. Agnel’s Multipurpose Stadium in Vashi, Navi Mumbai.
In what proved to be a fast-paced and physical encounter with chances few and far between, Air India’s clinical finishing in front of goal was pivotal in securing the win.
The dreadlock was broken in the 52nd minute when Air India substitute Harold Fernandes’ sublime chip released Prakash Khatti in the final third and the striker kept his cool to place a low shot the ball past the hapless keeper.
The Keralites reacted immediately, creating a host of chances within a matter of minutes. Their persistence almost paid off when striker Girish AV’s close range header seemed to be heading goalwards, only to be denied by an acrobatic save by Mumbai FC custodian Vikram Singh.
Any hopes of a comeback by the visitors was effectively killed off in the 86th minute when Air India’s Sagar Bedekar netted his team’s second. The midfielder, who had an outstanding game in the middle of the park, found himself in a one-on-one situation with the opposition keeper and coolly placed the ball into the far corner of the goal.
The win takes Air India to the top of their qualifying group with matches against Pune FC, Mumbai FC and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited left to play in the coming week.
The top two teams at the end of the round-robin phase will qualify for the final round of the competition.
