Air India begin on winning note

Fancied Air India started their campaign in the National Football League with a 2-1 victory over Mahindra United at the Cooperage in Bombay on Friday.

Though the airmen missed easy scoring opportunities, they somehow managed to come out trumps.

Radhakrishna Dube gave Air India an early lead in the 12th minute, when leaped high to nod hom a pass from Khambiton Singh.

Abbas Ali Rizvi restored parity for Mahindra in the 15th minute.

Herbert Philip had the easiest of chances to put Air India again ahead in the 21st minute, but his header went wide.

After going into the breather level, Air India attacked from ther start of the second half but were unable to convert any scoring opportunities. And just when the game seemed to be heading towards a draw, Bungo Singh struck for the airmen with a powerful shot in the dying minutes.

Mahindra will now take on Jagatjit Cotton and Textile Mills, Phagwara, on Monday.

Title aspirants East Bengal began their campaign in style with a fluent 2-0 victory over Tollygunge Aggragami in Calcutta

Captain Bijen Singh and medio Suley Mussah struck for the glamour club, capitalising on defensive lapses in a rather lacklustre match at the Rabindra Sarovar stadium.

A second half, injury time goal by defender Jo Paul Ancheri enabled F C Kochi to begin their camapign with 3-2 victory over Salgoacar Sports Club, Goa, at the Nehru stadium, in Margao, Goa.

Liberian recruit Sunday Seah, 53rd minute, I M Vijayan, 81st minute, and Jo Paul Ancheri, 90th minute, scored for the winners while Dennis Cabral, 45th minute, and Climax Lawerence, 82 minute, scored for Salgoacar.