ONGC's stunning form at home continued as they beat former champions Salgaocar by a solitary goal in a Round 16 I-League match at Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday.
Striker Fanai Lalmuanpuia scored the winner on the 48th minute, flicking in an accurate free kick by man-of-the-match Yusa Katsumi from the left.
Today's win was the third on the trot for ONGC after victories over Kolkata giants East Bengal and Pailan Arrows. It also stretched the oilmen's unbeaten run in the tournament to seven.
Out of the nine home matches at Ambedkar Stadium, ONGC have won five times, drawn four times and lost only once -- against Air India. They have beaten Dempo 3-1, Shillong Lajong 3-0, Pailan Arrows 3-1 before defeating East Bengal and Salgaocar.
The oilmen, whose participation at next season's I-League remained doubtful due to non-fulfilment of AFC club licensing criteria, are now at the top half of the 14-team I-League standings with 19 points from 15 outings.
After their long stint in Delhi, ONGC now leave for Mumbai and will play their game against Dempo on January 27.
With Saturday's loss, Salgaocar remained stuck on 11 points from 14 matches and they are in the relegation zone now.
Prayag United beat Sporting Clube 2-1
Prayag United Sports Club completed a hat-trick of wins as they came from behind to defeat Sporting Clube de Goa 2-1 in an I-League match at the Duler Stadium in Mapusa, on Saturday.
After victories over Dempo Sports Club and Pune FC, Prayag United started as favourites against Clube but Ogba Kalu's strike in the 24th minute seemed to upset the momentum of the Kolkata giants.
Prayag, however turned the match around in the second half when Ranty Martins equalised in the 48th minute and Bello Rasaq scored the winner with a majestic free-kick in the 77th.
