Outgoing players still game for HASC

That doubt was partly cleared when HASC made their delayed debut in this year’s competition on Monday against Sports Authority of India.

J Murali, who has signed for Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan, captained the Aircraftmen with R Srikanth (Pune FC) playing at right back and Jai Kumar (Chu­rchill Brothers) on the substitutes’ bench.

“I want to play in the Super Division because I think I owe that much to HASC,” Murali told Deccan Herald. “It is the local leagues that make Bangalore football what it is, so when the management requested me to play for them, it was an easy decision to make.”
Murali is expected to report to Bagan in mid-July, but with the Super Division running till the end of July, a request for an extension of 10-15 days has been put in by the HASC management.

Xavier Vijay Kumar, the other major departure from HASC, will leave for New Delhi on Tuesday ahead of the Indian camp for the World Cup qualifiers against UAE, and will not take part in the local league.

“I really want to do well (in the camp) and hopefully I will get selected,” he said, looking ahead to the camp involving 42 probables picked by interim India coach Armando Colaco.
“I have to report to Churchill after that and, therefore won’t be taking any part in the Super Division,” he added.

Srikanth and Jai Kumar are expected to play for HASC for the first half of the season only. It is learnt that their clubs are reluctant to grant them permission to play for the entire two months.