Aizawl (Mizoram) [India], Feb.1 :Aizawl FC came back to their winning ways in the Hero I-League as they earned a 1-0 win over DSK Shivajians, thanks to a late goal by Brandon Vanlalremdika.
Prior to the match, both sides had played five matches each, with Aizawl placed third with 10 points and DSK Shivajians FC placed seventh in the table, with one win to their credit.
Though both the sides wanted to garner full points, that wish did not really translate into belief throughout the entire length of the match.
In the fifth minute, DSK Shivajians were awarded a free-kick from 40 yards out, but that did not yield results.
A couple of minutes later, Ashutosh Mehta drilled an excellent through ball which R. Laldanmawia dribbled past a DSK defender but failed to find the back of the net, completely botching up his shot.
Ashutosh's striking cross was also successfully dealt with by the away side's defence, just a minute later.
Aizawl FC defender Lalruatthara's spectacular shot from the right flank also missed the target, and the home side then had to lose their key Syrian midfielder Mahmoud Al-Amna, when he got injured just about a quarter of an hour into the game.
Meanwhile, DSK Shivajians also continued with their attempts in the attacking third, but a corner kick taken by striker Lallianzuala sailed over the bar.
In spite of the moves made by both sides to change the scoreline in their favour, the first half did not display any clear attempts at goal and ended goalless.
The second half did not offer much goal mouth action either and play was concentrated in the midfield for the majority of the time.
In the 79th minute, Seita Singh's dramatic effort to score was brilliantly blocked by goalkeeper Poirei for DSK Shivajians.
The home side increasingly became more fluent as the match progressed, particularly in the attacking third as the match neared its end.
In the 83rd minute, Brandon Vanlalremdika received H. Lalmuankima's cross from the left flank but failed to convert the ball. Finally, the super-sub Brandon, converted a half-chance to register Aizawl's fourth win of the season under Khalid Jamil, which was also their third consecutive win at home.
With three more points from the day's match, Aizawl FC now have 13 points, on par with the Kolkata giants, having played a match more.
Alfred Jaryan was bestowed with the Hero of the Match award..
Source: ANI
