The Hindu : Sport / Football : Air-India flies on Shivalkar's goal

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Sunday, May 14, 2006

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Sport - Football

Air-India flies on Shivalkar's goal

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: Air-India's prolific striker Paresh Shivalkar was on target again, piloting his team to a 1-0 victory over Salgaocar Sports Club in a 17th round match of the ONGC Cup 10th National Football League here on Saturday.

The win took Air-India to the seventh position (18 points, 16 games) and safely away from the relegation zone.

Shivalkar started the move leading to the match-winner, advancing from the midfield and linking with Narendra Meetei via a slick wall pass. He then received the ball, hoodwinked a rushing Salgaocar custodian Sangram Mukherjee and flicked into an empty goal.

Coach Bimal Ghosh, relieved at escaping relegation, said: "the tension is over. Now we can look forward to building a strong team next season." Employment and hike in contract fees form part of Air-India's team-building plans.

Air-India, which was on the offensive from the outset, displayed fervour to make things happen and had the Salgaocar defence in trouble.

The match sparked to life just minutes after start as two shots at the goal after a Santosh Kohli free kick were blocked on the goalline. The Goan side is second-last on the league table, ahead of Fransa Pax, which has pulled out.

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