MPL 2017: Aizawl FC hold favourites Chhinga Veng FC to a draw
IN FRONT OF A FULL HOUSE at Lammual Stadium, Aizawl FC put on their best display of the season yet when they took on local cup champions Chhinga Veng FC in the third round of Mizoram Premier League. But in the end the result was 2-2, the third draw in a row in the I-League champions' MPL campaign.
The match started on much of an even keel with both teams exchanging an offensive back and forth. Chhinga Veng, laden with some of the best local players, were on the backfoot for the first few of minutes as Aizawl FC utilised their wings - especially Shylo Mama on the right flank - to make some early moves and create pressure in the final third. But soon the game turned with a free kick.
Positioned a couple of yards outside the box, Malsawmfela took a low crack at the goal. Avilash Paul, the former Gangtok Himalayan FC goalkeeper spending his first season at Aizawl FC, saw the ball late due to the jungle of legs in the wall and failed to follow through with a timely dive to the left. The ball found the net, and Chhinga Veng had the lead.
The I-League champions, however, didn't show any signs of letting up. Backed to a corner due to their first two MPL games ending in draws, they immediately sought to put the pressure back on Chhinga Veng. After a couple of attempts a move up the middle saw a concerted run from the midfielders that created a pressure point in the opponent box. K Lalthathanga got the finish.
But tough luck in the defence soon had Aizawl FC on the backfoot again. As Chhinga Veng tried to make a run up the right flank, they had Lalhriatrenga trying to block the way of their right winger Vanlallawma. Aizawl keeper Avilash Paul also sprinted out of his position to try and block a potential cross. But Lalhriatrenga let fly and it took a deflection from Vanllalawma that took the ball beyond Paul's reach. The ball hopped into the net and it was judged to be an own goal by the Aizawl FC defender.
The two teams went into half-time with the local cup winners leading 2-1 over the national league champions. But when the Peoples' Club came out for the second period they immediately took the fight to Chhinga Veng.
It didn't take long to find the equalizer. The Aizawl FC wingers, Shylo Mama and Rochharzela, had switched flanks and a brilliant long ball reached Rochharzela at the right wing. Spotting Jonathan Lalrawngbawla sprinting up the middle, Rochharzela sent in a perfect cross that Jonathan slid into the net.
The match was level and there was still a third of the game time left. A relentless back and forth ensued between the two sides, with Aizawl FC slowly claiming a larger portion of the possession, playing a free-flowing dominant game for the first time this season. A superb through ball reached David Lalrinmuana inside the box but the midfielder's finish took the ball just wide of the target.
A bunch of set-pieces kept Chhinga Veng under pressure. Then, Vanlallawma latched onto a punched corner clearance by their keeper T. Lalthammawia and ran all the way up to invade the Aizawl box with tons of space ahead of him. Aizawl FC had committed most of their players ahead for the corner as their head coach Paulio Jorge was pushing for the third goal, and hardly anyone could keep up with Vanlallawma's sprint. Only defender Lalrinzuala Khiangte could get close to him, and he committed to a long sliding challenge to stop the winger. The timing was right and he managed to clear the ball.
Chhinga Veng kept pushing and earned back to back corners. But the Aizawl defence managed to keep them at bay, which included a spectacular bicycle kick clearance from club veteran Alfred Jaryan which drew a loud applause from the assembled crowd. Then medio R Malsawmtluanga moved up, got hold of a ball from the left, reached the edge of the penalty box and targeted the far post. The ball had a diving Avilash Paul beaten but it just missed the target.
On the other end, Alfred Jaryan came alive with a 35 yard short that targeted the edge of the Chhinga Veng goal. The keeper was nowhere near it, but the ball hit the post.
Aizawl FC continued to breach the Chhinga Veng box through the right flank. A great run by substitute Lalmuankima saw him break the defence but keeper Lalthammawia threw himself to the ground and managed to block his shot.
Towards the end of the game, Chhinga Veng got a free kick just outside the box. As six Aizawl players lined up to form the wall, R Malsawmtluanga ran up to take the free kick. But he played a false and left it for Malsawmfela. His precise shot went over the wall and past the outstretched hand of Avilash Paul, and came off the crossbar.
The match remained a tense contest between two teams hungry for a win. But the final whistle came to the disappointment of both camps. A 2-2 draw wasn't what any of them wanted.
A third straight draw for Aizawl FC has left them far away from the top, but their performance tonight shows signs of improvement. And MFA Super Cup winners Chhinga Veng failed to win a match for the firsrt time this season. They remain at the top of the table, though, with 7 points from 3 matches.
The faithful of the Champion club of India celebrated the draw with smoke and drums. They will hope that this is where their club's dismal local football season begins to turn around.
