Aizawl FC end campaign with comeback win against Sudeva Delhi

Aizawl FC 3 (Ayush Chhetri 45+3′, Nishchal Chandan [OG] 61′, Lalliansanga 84′)
beat
Sudeva Delhi 1 (Shubho Paul 17′)  

The Relegation Playoff of the Hero I-League concluded with an enthralling win for Aizawl FC against Sudeva Delhi, here at the Kalyani Stadium. Sudeva took the lead and looked comfortable, however, Aizawl kept their calm, struck back, snatched all three points and finished at the top of the table. Sudeva finished the game with ten men after their skipper Vanlalzuidika Chhakchhuak was sent-off in the closing stages of the match.

Despite the match being a dead rubber, it was an encounter between two sides who wanted to finish at the top of the Relegation Playoff table. In the very first minute of the match, Sreyas VG got the ball right in front of goal but Aizawl keeper Lalmuansanga reached it first as Sreyas toppled over him. It did not take long for the referee to reach his pocket as Bakhtiyor Qalandarov earned himself a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Lawmnasangzuala.

Two minutes after having his name taken, Qalandarov popped up in the Sudeva half and curled in a beautiful cross from the left. It came to Lalremsanga, who was unmarked, but could not get his header on target. That turned out to be a huge let-off for Sudeva as the deadlock was broken minutes after that attack.

Youngster Shubho Paul was put clean through on goal with a defence-splitting pass from Basit Ahmed Bhat. The young striker adjusted his footing and put Sudeva ahead with a typical striker’s finish into the bottom left corner of goal. A minute after the goal, Sreyas came very close to doubling Sudeva’s advantage. However, this time the upright denied the men in yellow a goal.

Sudeva launched their third attack in as many minutes as Paul cut in from the left flank and curled a beautiful shot towards the top-right corner. The on-target effort was superbly put onto the crossbar by the fingertips of Lalmuansanga. After facing a series of Sudeva attacks, Aizawl finally managed to enter the attacking third midway through the first half.

Lalremsanga played a delightful cross in from the right. Dipanda Dicka was at the end of it. The Cameroonian put his header on target before Sachin Jha came up with an absolutely amazing save to deny Aizawl an equaliser.

A long diagonal was played into the Sudeva box as Veer Choudhary misjudged the flight of the ball and missed his header. The ball landed in the feet of Ayush Chhetri, who took a touch before slotting it past the keeper seconds before the half-time whistle.

In the second half, Sudeva substitute Akbar Khan was found by Paul on the right flank but Khan’s shot was wide. Sreyas and Paul were clicking well and wreaking havoc in the final third. Sreyas had another opportunity to score but was brilliantly denied by Thakima Ralte’s well-timed challenge

Right on the hour mark, Aizawl turned the game on its head. Luck was on their side as Lalremsanga’s delivery from the left picked up a deflection from Sairuatkima and struck the crossbar. On the rebound, Nishchal Chandan tried to clear it away from danger but ended up knocking the ball into the back of his own net, giving Aizawl a lead for the first time in the game.

A couple of minutes later, Shubho Paul went on another amazing run down the right before pulling it back for Sreyas who was right in front of the goal. The striker failed to place his shot well and struck one straight at the keeper as Aizawl escaped without a scrape. Shortly after the spurned opportunity, Sreyas was withdrawn and replaced by Abhijit Sarkar.

Sachin Jha had a decent game despite conceding. The Sudeva keeper denied Dipanda Dicka again in the second half before denying Vanlalnghenga’s powerful shot from close range.

Ten minutes from time, Lalliansanga Renthlei picked out Nischal Chandan but the defender’s effort went tantalisingly wide. A minute after that, Paul found himself in acres of space on the right side. However, the striker chose to shoot instead of squaring the ball in and ended up scuffing his effort.

Seven minutes from time, Aizawl substitute Lalliansanga came on and scored his side’s third, final and game-clinching goal after a through ball from Ramhlunchhunga. In the final minute of stoppage time, Sudeva Delhi skipper received his marching orders after a second yellow as Sudeva finished the game with ten men.

A come-back victory for Aizawl maintains their surreal alternate game winning streak and takes them to the top of the Relegation Playoff table, three points clear of TRAU in second. Sudeva emerged with no points and finished the season in fourth place, level on points with Indian Arrows.

Credits: I-League Media

For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football

Also Read: Tough test for Odisha Sports against unbeaten Sethu FC

Follow us on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football

Bank of India announces open trial for Mumbai Corporate League Campaign

Bank of India is set to make its mark in the Mumbai Corporate League and is looking for exceptional football talent to bolster its squad. The trial is scheduled for…

Share

India Khelo Football Workshop returns to Mumbai for its 4th Season

The Indian Khelo Football (IKF) Workshop returns to Mumbai this September, bringing with it an exceptional platform for aspiring footballers to showcase their skills and seize opportunities that could transform…

Share

Somaiya FC announces trials for the upcoming 2024-25 Season

Somaiya FC, having secured a commendable 5th position in the MFA Super Division last season, has announced open trials as they gear up for upcoming season. The team, known for…

Share

VR Academy to conduct trials for 2024-25 Season

Mumbai based VR Academy has announced trials for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The club is looking for talented young players to join our esteemed academy and participate in various competitive…

Share

MH ORANJE FC U-17 Trials for the Upcoming Season

With a proud legacy of nurturing talent and achieving excellence, Maharashtra Oranje FC has recently made waves with appearances in I-League 2, securing a remarkable runner-up position in the fiercely…

Share

Football School of India announce trials for Young Talents

Football School of India (FSI) has announced trials for young football enthusiasts in the upcoming week of June. A golden opportunity for aspiring players to showcase their talents and potentially…

Share

Mumbai Super League club Charkop FC to conduct open trials for upcoming Season

Calling all aspiring football stars! Charkop FC, a MFA super division club based in Charkop, Kandivali, is set to conduct Open Trials for the upcoming season. About Charkop FC: In…

Share

Mumbai 42 Football Academy to conduct trials for Youth players

Newly established Mumbai 42 Football Academy will be conducting trials for young footballers in the upcoming week.

Share

SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players

SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…

Share

India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here

India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…

Share