Kolkata: Defending I-League champions Aizwal FC kept it late to clinch all three points against Churchill Brothers at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium in Aizwal on Wednesday. Japanese Yugo Kobayashi scored the solitary goal of the match in the 88th minute, to see off the victory.
William Lalnunfela who scored a brace against East Bengal in the previous match was left out and so was Shylo Malsawmtluanga, who despite being the most capped player in the entire squad is yet to make his debut for Aizwal.
Confident after snatching a 2-2 victory against the Kolkata giants from the brink of defeat, the hosts went off to a solid start and could have well scored in the opening four minutes. But Ivorian forward Dodoz failed to convert a Lalmuankima cross into the box, with Churchill custodian Kithan parrying the ball away for a corner. Moments later Kobayashi’s shot form inside the box was blocked by a defender.
Playing in the left wing Lalmiankima was threatening throughout the first-half, often running past defenders and sending some sweet crosses into the box, which however could not be converted into goals by the forwards.
Lack of profligacy in front goal kept it to a 0-0 at the break, with Aizwal forwards in particular failing to convert some easy chances, despite keeping most of the possession.
The second-half began in a similar manner as with Aizwal again coming close to scoring in the opening five minutes. Lalthathanga Kawlhring send in a defence splitting pass for skipper Jaryan, but Monday came to the rescue. The hosts could have nonetheless gone ahead when substitute Zohmingmawia found himself unmarked in the Churchill box, but his powerful shot was desperately kept out by Kithan.
But then just when the ‘The Red Machines’ thought they had earned a point, Kobayashi ran away with the winner, having calmly tucked in Dodoz’s pass.
It was a first win for ‘The People’s club’ and propelled them to the fifth position on the table, with four points from two matches. Meanwhile Churchill’s nightmare continued, with a third straight defeat in as many matches.