Salgaocar snatch full points

S Ayyappa Swamy

It seems former champions Salgaocar have Air-India in a trance whenever they play them. First they beat them 4-1 in a home tie in the second round and now have nailed them in their away tie too.

On Tuesday, an overtly-aggressive Air-India lost 0-1, at the Cooperage in Bombay, to the Goa outfit in a 5th National Football League tie, with international Jules Alberto netting the match-winner.

Salgoacar, who are fighting unrest and poor form, got three valuable points to take their tally to 23 while the airmen are stuck at 14 after 15 rounds.

The depleted Salgaocar side displayed an attacking brand of soccer and got the match-winner in the 33rd minute. The wing-half went in solo, cut past two defenders, drew Israt Kamal, playing in place of the out-of-form Mohd. Yusuf Ansari, out and gently placed the ball into the gaol without much ado.

The goal brought out the best from Salgaocar while Air-India retorted in the only fashion they know -- getting physical. It has been happening to them in recent matches and that is entirely due to the frustrations building up with the side.

Moreover, even coach Bimal Ghosh's body language has been conveying negative messages and that is simply not helping his side.

The switch of gears saw Salgaocar earn a couple of chances more. The best one they earned was in the 39th minute when Dennis Cabral sent a cross to India probable Alvito D'Cunha. The left-footed genius got his head to the ball but missed the target.

Air-india, who were without captain Khalid Jamil (red card), had a chance in the 45th minute when they were awarded a free-kick. Striker Anthony Fernandes took the free-kick but his shot missed the target by a few inches.

Again, in the second half, Air-India stopper-back Arun Malhortra, who had got the equaliser in the last match against Tollygunge Aggragami, had an easy chance, but he fumbled on the goalline.

Salgaocar then had four gilt-edged chances in succession but some poor shooting saw them settle for a one-goal victory.