FLYING HIGH...The A-I squad savour last season's success.

MUMBAI, June 24: Bank of India (BoI) took away some gloss from Air-India's trophy celebrations with a 1-1 draw in a WIFA Super Division football match at the Cooperage, today.

Going by the downcast looks among the defending champions at the prize giving ceremony of last season's league, manager Bimal Ghosh and his team are in for a session of introspection.

Buoyancy instead existed in the Bank camp, also principal attenders at the ceremony in the role of runners-up, with good reason. They not just split points with the mighty airmen, but also enjoyed better chances, and with a slice of luck could have collected three.

A BoI resurgence after drawing parity was stifled by the metalwork, much to the frustration of Trevor Carvalho (first half) and skipper Anton Saldanha.

Air-India will reflect on a formidable midfield used below par. A lack of imagination in piecing together moves -- despite Khenthang Paite's tireless running -- undermined the National Football League side.

Air-India's striker Nitin Shetty is shaping well as a predator. The former Sesa Goa striker hit the bank before the teams settled in. A one-two with Abbas Ali Rizvi in the fourth minute had BoI's back-four floundering before Shetty shot home angularly past his namesake Kiran Shetty.

Evaristo Cardoz neutralised Air-India's goal within minutes. A free-kick by David Cardoz, who chose to tap it, saw Ramesh Pujary floating into the crowded area. Evaristo timed his leap to perfection, bulging the net with a header.

The bankmen, it seemed, failed to get over the agony of the miss and Air-India hogged possession and territory for almost the rest of the game.

Rizvi, Paite and Godfrey themselves agonised in quick succession as BoI heaved sighs of relief.

FR AGNEL WIN: Father Agnel beat Companeroes 3-1 in the First Division. Harish More, Herald Lobo and Ramesh Yadav scored for the winners, Vikram D'Souza for the losers.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.