MUMBAI, July 30: Air-India's opening aggressive burst paid rich dividends as they scored two goals within the first quarter of an hour in 2-0 win over Central Railway in the Gulf Oil WIFA Super Division football match at the Cooperage today.Air-India had taken their winning lead by the time the game was 13 minutes old. Abbas Ali Rizvi scored in the third minute, converting Anthony Fernandes's pass from the right.Ten minutes later, Rizvi did the hard work for Anthony to score. Rizvi pushed a forward pass to Anthony on the right and the forward sprinted past the defence, went upto the six-yard box, feigned a pass to fool goalkeeper Mark Mascarenhas before shooting into goal.With the ground conditions heavy, making it difficult to string together passes, Air-India's aggression and speed harried Central Railway. Air-India were clearly overrunning their opponents but once Central Railway settled into their rhythm, the winners found it difficult to score more goals though they had at least three opportunities.Under the conditions, it was difficult to have a short-passing game and Air-India utilised long passes, keeping the ball up and aggressively attacking every ball. Central Railway did hold the midfield for long periods, but that was mostly a fruitless exercise.As the match wore on, Central Railway were employing lunging tackles of which some were suspiciously bookable offences. With players slipping and sliding, it was a miracle that no player was injured seriously.Air-India's other chances came late in the first-half. Air-India's famed striker Anthony, who broke a barren spell today, was in the thick of action, providing the pass for PJ Jose to tap in. The goalkeeper was beaten, but Prakash Fernandes hooked it away from the goalline.The next chance came through a brilliant effort from Jose, who flung himself to head in a cross provided from the right by Subir Sinha. But, unfortunately for Jose, Mascarenhas was stationed in the right position and he pouched the ball.But Mascarenhas nearly conceded the third goal just before half-time when he went off the line and Khogen Singh flicked the ball over him off a headed pass from Anthony. Mascarenhas retraced his steps and palmed the ball into the bar.After a brilliant start to the match, the second half petered out into mindless exchanges. Air-India's efforts to push forward were often thwarted by the ground or the `brave' Central Railway players who flung themselves merrily on the ground.Air-India subjugated Central Railway to their first defeat in seven outings. Central Railway had won two and drawn four of their previous encounters. Air-India improved their record to three wins from five games with two draws.Earlier, in a First Division encounter, Rizvi pumped in four goals against Naval Civilians's one.George brothers Patrick (2) and Anthony (1), and Ranzie Kallicharan (1) scored for the winners while Ignatius Mascarenhas reduced the margin for the losers.
