Army XI defeats HAL 3-2

Bangalore, May 1 (UNI) Army XI defeated HAL 3-2 to register its second win in the Final Round of the Second Division of ONGC Cup 10th National Football League here today.

In a keenly-contested match, Armymen, after trailing 1-2 at half time, bounced back to ground the airmen.

HAL made a good start as striker P Rajendra Prasad, taking advantage of a corner pass by Raju, netted the ball to open the account in the 19th minute and mid-fielder Mohan Raj scored a magnificent solo goal in the 28th minute to lead 2-0.

However, Army striker J Anand Vasan reduced the margin- taking full advantage of a spot kick awarded by referee Pradip Mukherjee of Indian Football Association (IFA) in the 33rd minute. The armymen succeeded in scoring the equaliser when Vijaya Thape tapped a kick by K P Kaboi in the 70th minute.

The winning goal was scored by Nguernilal in the 80th minute, encashing on a pass by substitute Md Ibrahim.

While Army XI had six points to its credit from three matches, HAL had three points from equal number of matches.

UNI MSP RG PG VV1917