Sunday shines, Lalmuankima livens up Aizawl as they earn dramatic 2-0 victory over Mumbai

IN A DRAMATIC turnaround from a worrisome start to the campaign, Aizawl FC recorded a sensational 2-0 victory over visitors Mumbai FC today at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Mizoram's capital.

Mumbai FC had traveled to Aizawl without a couple of their key players like Taisuke Matsugae and Ashutosh Mehta. The home team too was playing without their captain David Lalrinmuana and Valpuia. While the visitors welcomed Asif Kottayil, Steven Dias, Clyde Fernandes and birthday boy Jayesh Rane into their starting line-up, newly instituted Aizawl FC coach Jahar Das made a number of changes as well; bringing in B Zoramthara, R Malsawmtluanga, goalkeeper Zothanmawia, Lalchawnkima and H Lalbiakthanga into the first eleven. 

A new signing, Nigerian striker Joel Sunday, was on the bench for Aizawl FC. Trusted Mumbai FC attacking medio Arata Izumi also started from the bench.

Both the teams were actively seeking an early goal but it wasn't to be. Aizawl's Albert Zohmingmawia sent in a cross for Alfred Jaryan but it got craftily blocked by Allan Dias. Minutes later, when Albert tried to invade again, Eric Brown welcomed him with a harsh tackle that forced the referee to put him on the book 14 minutes into the game. Brown didn't let up, however. He initiated a good move with a pass to Steven Dias that could have resulted in a dangerous cross had it not got blocked. 

But that it wasn't going to be a day for the visitors became clear early on when Allan Dias got injured in a tackle and had to be stretched off. And half an hour into the game, Mumbai coach Khalid Jamil was forced to make the first change, introducing Srikanth Ramu in Allan's stead.

By now, Aizawl FC were knocking on Mumbai's door. A dangerous ball came into the box and H Lalmuankima directed it towards the goal, beyond the Mumbai keeper's reach. But the ball hit the crossbar. Sensing the visitors' pressure, Jahar Das made an early sub, bringing in Japanese medio Yuta Kinowaki into the action. 

The first half ended goalless but it was the home side which obviously left the pitch with the momentum in their bag. And when they came out, they had Joel Sunday in their midst; making a debut for the club. His first touch, a shot at goal taken from a distance, was bang on target; a sign of things to come.

Veteran Steven Dias managed to get a good shot on goal but keeper Zothanmawia was quick to fist it away. The ball ended up with Asif Kottayil but his delivery was too high, and the chance was wasted.

But the pressure on the Mumbai defence was slowly building up. A couple of corners saw Aizawl attackers put the defenders to the task and finally, when Lalmuankima managed to get a sealed and addressed cross into the sweetest spot possible inside the box, Joel Sunday was standing their in wait to flick the ball in. It was just past the hour mark and the jam-packed stadium exploded in euphoria. Aizawl FC were leading 1-0. 

And almost immediately the lead doubled. Right after the game began Albert Zohmingmawia managed to get the ball into the box and the assistant of the previous goal, Lalmuankima, had a simple task to finish it into a wide open goal. 2-0 with 67 minutes on the clock.

At this point the game was out of Mumbai's hand. The altitude was probably working against their players as they were running considerably slower than their Aizawl counterparts. They introduced Arata Izumi to replace a tired Steven Dias. They laid a few desperate raids too, with Sushil Singh getting a great chance to make a finish but bottling it by hurrying too much. At no time did the hosts look cornered or in discomfort and they saw out the rest of the game with relative ease. 

It was by far the biggest victory for Aizawl FC, and crucial too. Now in the 7th place with 8 points from 8 matches, they have once again taken a lead over fellow relegation contender Salgaocar who are on 5 points from 7 matches. 

But more significantly, the way Aizawl FC have performed under the new coach Jahar Das - drawing to Shillong Lajong and beating Mumbai FC - can be seen as a fresh start for the team. It's always tough for a new club with a rather inexperienced side to put up a strong fight in a league as competitive as this; and under the Spanish coach Manuel Retamero Fraile they came close several times but ended up losing games. But now with the injection of some new, experienced players they may finally have the strength and mileage needed to go past the finishing line and avoid relegation. And them doing so will be a rare good news not just for Mizoram but Indian football.

For Mumbai FC, on the other hands, the alarm bells should be going off right about now. They have had a hard time on the road, picking up only 1 point from away games so far. And after making a bright start thanks to bright results at home against Bengaluru FC, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, their form has taken a hit. They have slipped to 5th position on the table; standing on just 9 points from 8 games. Although they are unbeaten at home, they need to be better travelers if they are to challenge for a high finish in the league table; and right now the signs aren't looking good.