Air-India’s chances of remaining afloat in the I-League received a boost after edging out Goan outfit Salgaocar 2-1 on Monday.

But though it was the airmen who had the first shot at the goal, it was the visitors who stole the show in the initial stages of the match by getting an early lead in the 22nd minute through Nigerian Felix Chimaokwu. Air India’s defenders Nirmal Chettri and Napolean Singh were stationed at the goalline, but were left waiting for the other to clear the ball from a scrimmage following a pass from Milagres Gonsalves.

However, Air India did not lose focus and kept on attacking. They were duly rewarded in the 28th minute when skipper Paresh Shivalkar slotted the ball in for a goal. It came after danger man Uttam Singh’s throw-in, which was unusually short, to Napolean Singh near the goalpost. Salgaocar coach Savio Medeira, smelling danger, warned his defenders, but it was too late as the ball travelled back into the box and Shivalkar succeeded in beating the goalkeeper.

In the 43rd minute, Samson Singh shot the visitors’ hopes to pieces and helped the hosts take a 2-1 lead. Singh sent in a scorching shot past the goalkeeper Marcus Basumatari off Napolean Singh’s corner kick.

“Lack of concentration cost us,” said coach Medeira. But a jubilant Bimal Ghosh had words of praises for new recruit goalkeeper Arnab Das Sarma. “There was pressure on Arnab as it was his first match, but his judgement was good.”

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