I-League 2015/16 – Aizawl stun Mohun Bagan to inflict first defeat
Lalchawnkima's winner from the penalty spot in the second half, was enough for Aizawl to pull out a shock 2-1 win against the defending champions Mohun Bagan at Mizoram on Saturday. This result brought an end to the Mariners' unbeaten run, and has breathed new life into the title race.
Aizawl FC XI: Lalawmpuia; Immanuel HS Lalthazuala, Lalruatthara, Lalchhawnkima, Ricky Lallawmawma; Albert Zohmingmawia, David Lalrinmuana, Yuta Kinowaki, Brandon VL Remdika, Joel Sunday, Alfred Kemah Jaryan
Mohun Bagan XI: Debjit Majumder; Prabir Das, Kingshuk Debnath, Luciano Sabrosa, Dhanachandra Singh; Manish Bhargav, Lenny Rodrigues, Souvik Chakraborty, Yusa Katsumi; Subhash Singh, Cornell Glen
The I-League returned after a long hiatus as league leaders Mohun Bagan took on bottom-dwellers Aizawl FC, in what was a rescheduled match from round 12. The Mariners came into the game on the back of a fine performance in the AFC Cup and would have expected an easy three points against a struggling Aizawl side.
However, things did not quite go according to the script for the defending champions at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Mizoram.
Joel Ayeni gave the home side the lead in the third minute, after a poor defensive clearance from the back went straight to the striker. Joel was one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and he kept his composure to strike it into the back of the net.
That goal was a wake-up call for the Mariners and after pushing hard for an equalizer, Cornell Glen came to their rescue. The goal also arrived from a mistake at the back, this time from the Aizawl goalkeeper Lalmalsawma and defender Lalthakima, which provided the chance for the 35-year-old striker to score.
Aizawl did not lose their composure, though, kept possession of the ball for the rest of the half, and eventually, the pressure paid off as they took back the lead at the start of the second half.
Mohun Bagan defender Dhanachandra Singh blocked Ruatthara's shot with his hands inside the box, and the referee pointed to the spot in the 54th minute. Lalchawnkima stepped up and converted from the resultant penalty to make it 2-1 to Aizawl.
Mohun Bagan was once again forced to chase the game, but this time, they could not come up with the answers. Aizawl were able to protect their slim lead as Mohun Bagan succumbed to their first loss of the season. With five round of matches left in the season, the defending champions now hold a three-point lead over Bengaluru FC, and a five-point lead over East Bengal – whom they will face soon in the much awaited Kolkata derby.
