JOIN USVeteran mid-fielder and former skipper Xavier Vijay Kumar came to the party in style, his 13th-minute strike doing the job for the Aircraftmen at the Tau Devi Lal stadium. Xavier was later awarded the man of the match.
The Bangalore champions, who will play their December and early January set of matches away due to renovation work underway at Bangalore Football stadium, will travel to Kolkata to face giants Mohun Bagan on Tuesday.
Debutants AIFF XI dished out a spirited display but Chirag United rode on a brace by Elijah Junior to register a 2-1 win at an empty Salt Lake stadium. Man-of-the-match Junior struck in the 3rd and 42nd minutes, while AIFF XI scored through Lalrindika Ralte, who caught the eyes with a brilliant 21st-minute solo.
There were no spectators in sight and there was not even a banner of the premier domestic tournament as the sprawling stadium wore a deserted look. With Junior and Johsimar upfront, the home outfit utilised the first opportunity they got as the former put them ahead 1-0 in what appeared an easy chance.
At Kannur, Ryuji Sueoka struck a brace as Salgaocar trounced promoted VIVA Kerala 3-0. Sueoka netted the opener for the visitors in the 15th minute while Anthony Barbosa made it 2-0 at the stroke of half-time before Sueoka fired home his second in the 61st minute.
Hosts Mumbai FC staged a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Air India. Yusuf Ibrahim’s 63rd-minute opener for Air India was equalised by Henry Ezeh two minutes later while Nicholas Rodrigues slammed the winner in the 68th minute.