HAL end miserable run

Hindustan Aeronautics's miserable run in the National Football League came to an end when they scored a 1-0 victory over Indian Bank, Chennai, in Bangalore on Monday.

The all-important goal was scored by their Nigerian import Kanneth Onu.

Onu headed home in a dramatic fashion, following an excellent pass from Dayananda in the 37th minute, leaving bankmen's goalkeeper Sebastian Netto stranded. Netto, otherwise, did a fine job under the bar, effecting a few good saves.

With this victory, the Bangalore-based Hindustan Aeronautics have seven points from 11 encounters, the victory coming after five straight defeats.

Indian Bank could not get their act together today and failed to put up a cohesive show. They remain on 11 points from an equal number of outings.

Earlier, in the first-half, Netto neatly collected powerful shots from Jagdish Kumar and Rajendra Prasad while Dayandanda messed up a good chance, his effort going off the target by a whisker.

The second-half saw frequent replacing of players by both sides but it made little impact. Onu again had an opportunity in the 85th minute, but his shot from close range sailed over the bar.