MATCH REPORT: Aizawl’s strong performance give them a comfortable win over Chennai City

AIZAWL FC’s strong performance gave them a comfortable home win over Chennai City

Aizawl were looking to not waste any time to get to scoring ways and started the game well, playing in the Chennai half for the most part. Albert was picked in the box but his heavy touch made it a 50-50 ball for him and Ravanan. The Chennai City defender was quick to react and intercepted the ball. Just after 20 minutes in the game, the constant pressure from Aizawl forced a mistake from Shumeiko to give away a penalty. Kobayashi stepped up and finished cleanly to give Aizawl the lead. 
The home team continued to keep the ball well and forced Chennai on the back foot yet again. The right wing of Aizawl, especially Albert was active in the first 45 minutes. David in the central midfield was another one combining well to both wings. David struck the second goal of the day when his shot, from inside the box, took a deflection and caught Poljanec on the wrong foot as the ball rolled past him, hit the inside post and went in the goal.
Joachim had a chance to shoot from the right side inside the box. He completely missed his kick but Pandiyan was there on the follow up shot. Till them Aizawl took shape and cleared. Albert on the right was in space and squeezed a low cross to find Mama but the ball missed everyone. Chennai showed some fight after the second goal. A bit of casual goal keeping from Poljanec saw his juggle the ball twice under no pressure and kick away. The kick fell to Kareem who sent a powerful shot on target but the Chennai City keeper had no fancy tricks to do and caught the ball cleanly. Romario got a dummy from a team mate and had space to shoot from inside the box. He hesitates at first but then his eventual shot was blocked by Saighani.
Soundarajan made two early changes bringing Saji and Beautin on. Andrei had a chance to at least test the keeper when he was given space to shoot from outside the box. Chennai should have taken the lead when Joachim’s great run in the middle of the field freed Edwin in space on the right of the inside of the box. His left foot shot was high and wide of the goal. Soosairaj added some pressure on the Aizawl defence and shot on goal but Avilash punched it clear.
Aizawl replied with the substitute Khawlhring making Poljanec dive low to his left to make a good save. Chennai created a good opportunity when they won a free kick close to 15 minutes from full time. The free kick just outside the box in the middle was taken by Joachim and but the execution was awful. Aizawl could have had their third when Albert played a low ball to Kobayashi in the box who could not guide the cross goalwards. Joachim had a good shot on goal but Avilash was up to his task. The last chance for Chennai came when Joachim brought down a high ball in the box well but his shot could not be kept on target.