Kyrgyzstan import Raja Baliev Nurlan's fine piece of opportunism enabled Hindustan Aeronautics Sport Club notch their first victory in the Oil PSU-seventh National Football League. They beat former champions JCT Mills, Phagwara, by a solitary goal in Bangalore on Wednesday.
Nurlan bulged the net from close after the Punjab team's goalkeeper, Arvind Kumar, failed to collect a powerful shot from Dayanand cleanly. Nurlan pounced on the ball as it popped out of the grasp of Kumar and shot home in the 24th minute.
It was local champions' first victory in four outings. They now have four points.
JCT, who were in high spirits after having held reigning champions Mohun Bagan 3-3 in their last encounter, remain on a solitary point after four matches, yet to taste victory.
Coached by Sukhwinder Singh, and with veteran India players I M Vijayan and Jo Paul Ancheri in their ranks, JCT came close to scoring a few times but poor finishing let them down. Besides, HASC's goalkeeper Mark Mascarenhas did a fine job under the bar.
JCT now take on another local side ITI in their next match, in Bangalore on December 7.
