Aizawl FC convert last-minute penalty to snatch a point from Salgaocar's backyard

A LAST-MINUTE penalty conversation saw Aizawl FC salvage a point against Salgaocar after the latter tried their best to turn things around after a horrendous start to their I-League campaign.

Playing at home, and under the guidance of their new coach Santosh Kashyap, Salgaocar made four changes to their starting line-up. Brazilian defender Eder Monteiro, on loan from Chennaiyin FC, made his debut for the club. Olivieira, Keenan Almeida and Augustine Fernandes also made their way into the first eleven.

The visitors Aizawl FC also made changes to their squad, bringing in Lalbiakthanga, Malsawmtluanga, Yonezawa and Anganba into their starting line-up.

There were chances for both sides in the opening few minutes, but neither could take advantage. Around the 19th minute mark, Duffy played out a brilliant move with midfielder Jakichand Singh after which the latter found himself in acres of space and only the Aizawl custodian Soram Anganba to beat. But Anganba pulled off a good save.

The visitors kept attacking, but were repeatedly foiled by the Salgaocar defenders. In the 42nd minute, Fanai Lalrinpuia almost gave them the lead with a 30-yard screamer, but his shot whizzed narrowly past the post.

However, it was Duffy who got onto the scoresheet at the other end two minutes later as he latched onto a long ball and placed it past Soram to find his third goal of the season.

After the restart, it was Aizawl who tried to press on the accelerator. They had a few more chances, but wasted them with their poor execution.

When it looked like Salgaocar would finally have their first win of the season, Reagan Singh brought down Alfred Jaryan inside the box to give away a penalty. Malsawmtluanga stepped up and calmly sent it past the Salgaocar goalkeeper to restore parity for the visitors.

With this draw Salgaocar have earned their first ever point in the league. They are on 1 point after 5 matches and still at the bottom of the table. Kashyap and his boys have enough reason to be disappointed at dropping two points at the very end.

For Aizawl FC, this is the first ever point they have picked up away from home. They are on 4 points from 5 matches and after what has been an up-and-down start of the season for them in the I-League, they will be happy to take something away from this game before they travel to Kolkata to face East Bengal - another very tough fixture - next Saturday.