Aizawl FC, Bethlehem Vengthlang reach the semis, AIFF U-19 finish campaign unbeaten at Independence Day Football Tournament

TWO HARD-FOUGHT GAMES decided the fate of the Independence Day Football Tournament semi-finals in Aizawl today, with AIFF U-19 ending their run in the tournament unbeaten.

Having drawn all 3 of their previous matches, AIFF U-19 took on Dinthar FC, who had earlier beaten Indian top division champions Aizawl FC. 

They started the match aggressively, with Edmund Lalrindika scoring 5 minutes into the game. The AIFF U-19 defence held on for the rest of the first half, and shortly afterwards they extended their lead when Edmund found the net again.

Dinthar tried hard to get back in the game and brought the contest back alive towards the end when Jackson scored one for them. But it wasn't enough, the match ended with a 2-1 win for AIFF U-19.

With 6 points from 4 matches, AIFF U-19 made sure they remained unbeaten in Group A, but needed Ramhlun North FC and Bethlehem Vengthlang FC (both on 4 points from 3 matches) to play out a draw in order for them to make the semi-finals as the second best team from the group after Aizawl FC (7 points from 4 matches).

The match between Bethlehem and Ramhlun North became a test of nerves as both teams tried their hardest to be the ones to blow it with mistakes, and the first half ended goalless. The break-through came right after the hour mark when Laldinpuia scored for Bethlehem. They held on, fending off counters from Rahmhlun North, before Vanlalthanga sealed the game for them 84 minutes in. Bethlehem Vengthlang FC, who finished top of the table in last season's Mizoram Premier League before losing in the finale, ensured that they would join Aizawl FC (Group A), Chhinga Veng FC (Group B) and reigning MPL champions Chanmari FC (Group B) in the high profiles semi-finals of Independence Day Football Tournament.