A 69th minute strike by Bashiru Abass guided Air India to a solitary goal win over Mohammedan Sporting to gain full points in the 10th National Football League at Nehru stadium in Margao on Tuesday.
Air India, who dominated the first-half, scored the all-important goal in the 69th minute through Bashiru Abass who trapped home a free kick from substitute Uttam Singh.
The win takes Air India tally to seven points from five matches. Mohammedan Sporting have ten points from seven matches.
Air India dominated the first-half and had created three scoring chances but their strikers failed to cash on the half chances that came their way.
Airmen's Paresh Shivalkar who troubled the Mohammedan defence from the left, send a cross to Bashiru who failed to direct his shot on target. Nepoleon who overlapped on the right often saw his long ranger sailing inches over the bar.
The second-half was most confined to midfield and the Mumbai league champions struck the winner in the 69th minute through Bashiru after Sporting defender failed to clear the ball off a free kick which saw Bashiru hitting in from close.