KOLKATA: Aizawl FC grabbed their first win of the Hero I-League after defeating Gokulam Kerala FC 2-0 at the Mohun Bagan ground here on Wednesday. Strikes by Malsawmzuala and Lalrammawia hand Aizawl full points.
Despite dominating possession and chances created, Aizawl FC could not prise open the Gokulam Kerala defence. On the other side of the pitch, Gokulam Kerala FC relied on counter-attacks, but did not get a clear sniff of Aizawl’s goal. In the 21st minute, Gokulam’s Afghan import Sharif Mohammad found Philip Adjah with an inch-perfect through ball. Adjah, however, failed to dink the ball over an onrushing goalkeeper.
The breakthrough for Aizawl FC came in the 40th minute when Malsawmzuala was brought down inside the box after a cross from the right-wing. The forward slotted it comfortably from the spot to give Aizawl a solitary goal lead.
Into the second half, Gokulam dominated possession and searched hungrily for the equaliser, committing men in attack to salvage a point from the match. With Gokulam not taking chances in front of goal, Aizawl FC killed the game in the 76th minute when Lalrammawia connected from a corner kick and side-footed the ball into the back of the net, doubling the lead.
NEROCA rout Arrows: All India Football Federation’s developmental side the Indian Arrows lost 0-4 to NEROCA FC at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium on Wednesday. A brace by Judah Garcia and a goal apiece by Varney Kallon and Khaiminthang Lhungdim proved enough to sink the Arrows, as the Manipuri outfit bagged its first win of the Hero I-League 2020-21 season.
Judah Garcia’s strike from distance stunned the Arrows’ goalkeeper and caught him off guard, as the ball crept in from his near post to hand NEROCA the lead on the 27th minute. Then, on the 30th minute, Varney Kallon slotted his effort into the net. Despite that, the Indian Arrows showed their fighting spirit and tried to restrict play in NEROCA’s half. But however valiant their efforts were, the Arrows were kept at bay easily as they went into the half-time two goals behind their opponents. The young side conceded two more in the later half. (Report & picture: AIFF Media)
