A new-look Hindustan Aeronautics Sports Club lost their first encounter of the season with Madras Engineer Group handing a 2-0 defeat to the former champions in the Super Division league at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Sunday.
After their relegation to the second division of the I-League, their top players left HASC while H Chandrasekar returned to the helm of affairs. Aircraftmen have strengthened the squad with a couple of Nigerian recruits in Kingsley and Emmanuel while custodian Balaji was signed from Pune FC besides a few other signings.
Ramu V put MEG ahead through a penalty in the 40th minute before Brajohn struck the second goal four minutes into the second half. MEG, who were held by Karnataka State Police in their opener, now have four points.
HASC failed to combine well at the start though they held most of the possession while Sappers, on the other hand, were reluctant to come forward, defending solidly.
MEG, who went down 2-3 to HASC last year, took the lead from a spot-kick awarded by referee C Leo when Karthik handled a right wing cross from Ramu.
Ramu placed it neatly to the left of Balaji much to the disappointment of a huge Sunday crowd that had turned out to support the Aircraftmen.
Sappers swelled the lead in second half when Brajohn headed home a cross from Nguernilal Hmar on the left. HASC threatened to score only once with R C Prakash hitting the post from close range.
In the ‘A’ Division, Bangalore Kickers edged out BUFC 2-1. Suraj (70th), Dayananda (79th) netted for Kickers while Ali (75th) reduced the margin for BUFC.
Monday’s matches: ‘A’ Division: CIL vs ISRO (1.00 pm). Super Division: ASC vs Postal (3.00 pm).