Subash Negi scored the all-important goal off a stunning free kick, which got deflected into the goal off an IAF defender.

The first half saw champions IAF get a number of chances to get ahead, but the opportunities were wasted by their strikers A Edwin and Manish Negi.

In the second half, Ahbab could have increased their lead, had Subash Negi and Irfan Khan’s shots not hit the posts.

With Ahbab going into the offensive, IAF changed their goalkeeper Anil Kumar and Aurbindo Upadhay, who came in to do the duty under the bar, rose well to the occasion and thwarted their rivals’ efforts.

Ahbab now have nine points from four matches, while IAF have only one from their three encounters. IAF will play Trackon-Garhwal Heroes in their last league match on 15 January. Osian-New Delhi Heroes have six points from two matches and Trackon-Garhwal Heroes have three from two.