Viva rally to hold fighting HASC

J Murali opened the scoring for HASC in the 48th minute through a penalty after Malengamba Meitei was brought down in the box by Viva’s Sherin Sam. The equaliser though, took only two minutes to arrive as Anil Kumar headed in a cross from Felix giving both sides a share of the spoils.

The match started with both teams trying to gain the upper hand, but it was the home side that created the bulk of the chances in the first half.

At the start of the second half, HASC showed a little more attacking intent and immediately made the breakthrough via the penalty. After Viva equalised, the home side tried to find the winner but a combination of some poor finishing and good defending saw HASC hold Viva back.

In Panjim, Salgaocar coasted past AIFF XI 5-0 to move into the top of the table with Yusif Yakubu (7th, 18th), Ryuji Seoka (12th, 34th) and Ekene Ikenwa (90th) scoring for the Goan side.

In another entertaining match, Churchill thumped Mumbai FC 5-1 with top marksman Odafa (18th, 28th, 66th, 90th) helping himself to four goals. Bineesh Balan (40th) also got into the scoresheet for the former champions with the consolation goal for Mumbai coming courtesy Noel Wilson in the twelfth minute.

Meanwhile, Pune FC and Chirag United drew 1-1 with the goals coming from Elijah Junior in the 45th minute for Chirag and Arata Izumi in the 58th for Pune.