MARGAO, Dec 2: Air India survived a strong second half comeback as they registered a solitary goal victory over Sporting Clube de Goa in a ninth round I-League encounter at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Sunday (December 1). Air India move to 7 points from 9 matches while Sporting also stay on same number of points from 9 matches.

Baldeep Singh’s stunning volley in the 35th minute made the difference between the two sides.

Sporting Clube was the stronger of the two teams and should have coasted to victory, but the home side, who have lost three matches in a row now, lacked the spark upfront. They missed several chances and eventually paid a heavy price for their prodigality upfront.

It were the visitors, however, who were presented with the first opportunity but Nigerian striker Junior Elijah could not give the finishing touches from close range after being put clear by Henry Ezeh.

After that initial scare, Sporting got into the groove and created several opportunities. Prathesh Shirodkar first slipped at the right end of Richard Obiora’s through ball but goalkeeper Sukhwinder Singh thwarted him just in time. A minute later, Obiora wasted an opportunity. The saga of missed chances continued when Ogba Kalu ballooned the ball over from handshaking distance.

Sporting Clube eventually paid a heavy price for their missed chances as Air India scored with the second opportunity which they had. This time it was a volley from Baldeep Singh which stunned Sporting goalkeeper Ashok Singh.

In the second session, Sporting Clube virtually camped in the Air India zone but lacked the cutting edge upfront. Substitute Seiya Sugishita saw his nice attempt ricochet off the crossbar while Kalu could not believe his eyes when his header sailed wide.

At the other end, Air India striker Henry missed one of the easiest chances one could get as he failed to tap a ball from Junior inside the goal.