Aggressive HASC edge past Vasco

Malabar ride on Javed goal to beat NISA

The win took the Aircraftmen to the top of the table with 12 points from four matches and helped them maintain their all-win record.

HASC must get full credit for their aggressive display at the Bangalore Football stadium against Vasco, who have played in the I-League proper till last season. Saying that, even before the Bangalore team could settle down, they went down to a second-minute Sibra Narzary goal.

An error in judgement by Bimal Minz saw Koko Sakioo getting a through ball from skipper Joy Ferrao. Sakioo passed it on to Sibra, who placed his left-footer to the left of HASC custodian Amar Deb.

It took some time for the Aircraftmen to settle their nerves, but as HASC slowly applied pressure, their efforts bore fruit.

Xavier Vijay Kumar won a free-kick in a dangerous position on the left wing. Xavier, who himself took the kick, essayed a pinpoint cross headed in at the far post by Fredrick Okwagbe in the 20th, sparking wild celebrations from the crowd. Satish Jr then missed missed a copule of sitters as the teams went in to half time at 1-1.

After the break, Satish Jr made up for his costly misses as he put HASC in front with a 51st-minute effort.

Xavier, who did the spade work on the left flank, essayed a lofted cross for Rajendra Prasad at the far post. Prasad’s first-time volley hit the crossbar and when the rebound fell in the path of Satish Jr, he made no mistake in slotting home the winner.

Vasco went in search of equaliser and often left wide open spaces for HASC forwards. Fredrick couldn’t capitalise on a one-on-one with Vasco ’keeper Siddhesh Morje.

The Goan outfit also had the chances to equalise but their finishing let them down. They also had a strong penalty appeal turned down by referee Amjad Khan Mansoori after the ball hit HASC’s Joseph Femi Adeola inside the penalty area.

Soon after the match, the Vasco players came rushing towards the referee in protest but the timely intervention of the organisers helped prevent the situation getting out of hand.

Other result:
Malabar United: 1 (Javed P A 17th) bt North Imphal Sporting Association, Manipur: 0.