JOIN US Salgaocar Football Club scored a resounding 4-0 win over Air India in the 13th round of the I-League to put their campaign back on track here on Sunday.
Playing for the first time at the Duler Stadium which now has artificial turf, Salgaocar adapted well to the slow surface and scored four goals through a brace each from Milagres Gonsalves (21th, 26th) and Augustin Fernandes (22nd, 35th) in the first half to end the visitors’ challenge.
Salgaocar, who played with only one foreigner, dominated the game from the start but it was not until the 21st minute that they could open their account.
A nice one-two between Francis and Milagres saw the latter toe the ball home from inside the six-yard box. A minute later, defender Augustin made it 2-0, heading home Nicolau Colaco’s fine cross from the right.
Air India conceded their third goal in the 26th minute when custodian Sukhwinder stopped a fierce shot from Brian Mascarenhas only to see Gonsalves finding the net off the rebound.
Fernandes scored again when he rose high to head home a free-kick taken by Francis Fernandes from outside the box.
Dempo held
Mumbai FC played out a goalless draw against defending champions Dempo SC at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune. Mumbai FC stayed fifth on the table with 20 points from 13 games while Dempo SC stayed on top with 29 points.
East Bengal shine
East Bengal ended their first phase campaign on a winning note, blanking Pailan Arrows 3-0 in Kalyani to revive their I-League title hopes.
After a jittery start, East Bengal drew the first blood in the 44th minute through Robin Singh’s left-footer East Bengal completely dominated the proceedings in the second-half with captain Sanju Pradhan striking a double (55th and 86th minute) to hand them their first win after four matches.
Their last win had come more than a month ago in the eighth when they defeated Salgaocar by a solitary goal. East Bengal now have 24 points from 12 matches.