By IANS,
Kolkata : Facing relegation scare, city outfit United Sporting rode on a first-half strike to upset formidable Air India 1-0 in an I-League outing here Saturday.
Man of the match Daniel Bidemi found the winner in the 24th minute to ensure full points for United that improved a rung to the 10th position logging 16 points from 15 games.
Air India, reduced to 10 men for the last nine minutes after their forward Emmanuel Ovieghara received marching orders for an off-the-ball charge on bidemi, remained at the sixth slot with 17 points from 15 ties.
The all-important goal at the floodlit Salt Lake stadium came when a Malswama Hamar flag kick was promptly connected by Shankar Oraon, and the rebound off a rival defender saw Bidemi’s grass-kissing shot go in.
Air India tried for the equaliser, but their upfronter Subhas Singh squandered several chances.
Then Substitute Emmanuel’s header was saved by Sporting custodian Gopal Das, who rescued his team yet again six minutes from the final whistle as he blocked Michale Tayo’s effort.