HAL join ONGC in I-League first division

Local side Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on Monday became the second side to qualify for the I-League first division after playing out a 1-1 draw against Sesa Football Academy of Goa in the I-League second division.

Bangalore: Local side Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on Monday became the second side to qualify for the

I-League first division after playing out a 1-1 draw against Sesa Football Academy of Goa in their final match of the I-League second division here on Monday. After their final round-robin league match today, HAL have 16 points from seven matches, the same as ONGC who have already qualified for I-League first division with one game remaining -- against NISA, Manipur tomorrow -- in the seven-team tournament here. Selwyn Fernandes gave the Goan side the lead in the 29th minute before Satish Kumar (Jr) equalised for HAL, who needed just a draw in the match to qualify for I-League first division, in the 44th minute at the Karnataka State Football Association Stadium. In another final round match, Vasco Sports Club played out a 1-1 draw against Mohammedan Sporting of Kolkata to finish third with 13 points. Mohammedan finished fourth with 10 points. Vasco took the lead through Joel Sequeira in the 35th minute while Mohammedan skipper Jyothi Kumar restored parity in the 67th minute. PTI