Kenkre FC shock Aizawl FC, notch second successive win
Aizawl FC 0
Lost to
Kenkre FC 1 (Ranjeet Singh Pandre 45+2′)
After not winning a single game in Phase I, Kenkre registered their second successive victory in Phase II against leaders Aizawl FC, here at the Kalyani Stadium. A first-half stoppage-time goal from Ranjeet Singh Pandre was enough for Kenkre to pip Aizawl and bag three crucial points with yet another clean sheet.
Aizawl FC started the game on the front foot, playing most of the half in the opposition half. The first real attack that had Kenkre keeper Padam Chettri worried was when a long ball from midfield was played to Willis Plaza. The attacker headed the ball down towards his strike partner Dipanda Dicka, who could not find his footing and skied the effort from an acute angle.
In this possession vs counter game, Samuel Lalmuanpuia was constantly whipping long balls into the box, from open play as well as free-kicks, for Dicka and Plaza. The strikers had a tough time getting their shots on goal.
Midway through the first half, Dicka put a great ball in for Plaza from the left flank. The Trinidadian took a touch, and sorted his feet out before firing it wide.
That effort came minutes after Aizawl keeper Anuj Kumar had denied Akeraj Martins a goal with a fantastic save. Martins’ glancing header was flying into the top left corner of the goal but Kumar at full stretch palmed it away to safety. Just before the final minute of the half, Aizawl lost defender Robert Primus Jr. to a hamstring injury.
Shortly after the departure of Primus Jr., in first half stoppage time, Kenkre broke on the counter again and ended up planting the ball in the net with only their second shot of the game. Skipper Kiran Pandhare played a beautiful through ball to Ranjeet Pandre, who beat defender Bakhtiyor Qalandarov, and slotted the ball past Anuj Kumar to give Kenkre the lead at half time.
In the final minute of first half stoppage time, Ramhlunchhunga picked out Dicka with his pass. The Cameroonian finally headed the ball on target but he was denied by Chettri who was at full stretch to deny Aizawl an equaliser late in the first half.
In the second half, Aizawl performed the way they did in the first half. In the initial minutes, there was constant attacking pressure from the side in white. Their focus on attack made them complacent at the back.
Defensive frailties were evident when two Kenkre attacks were halted at the last moment. Vijay Nagappan was at the heart of both attacks as he saw his effort blocked and then set up Pandre, who was denied bravely by Anuj Kumar right in front of goal.
Just past the hour mark, Dicka tried to play it in towards Plaza but it was well intercepted by Zacharie Mbenda. However, the short clearance landed at the feet of Ayush Chhetri who placed it wide.
Aizawl had another opportunity, this time from a free-kick near the box. Ramhlunchhunga struck it well and on target but Padam Chettri palmed it away for a corner.
Kenkre looked menacing on the counter throughout the second half. The side in blue were just unable to find the perfect final pass to finish the game off. Ten minutes from time, Nagappan smashed a beautiful ball across the face of goal but there were no Kenkre attackers in that position to simply tap it in for the winner.
Kenkre would have had a two goal cushion two minutes from time but second half substitute David Zate was in the right place at the right time. On the counter, Kenkre substitute Pravitto Raju played it in toward Pandre. The striker then slid the ball in towards Nagappan who was right in front of goal. But the final pass was amazingly intercepted by Zate.
Aizawl threw everything they had at Kenkre but could not score as Kenkre emerged victorious on a day where the teams at the bottom of the table have come off with all three points.
Despite losing the game, Aizawl retained top spot of the Relegation Playoff table, two points clear of four teams who are on thirteen points now. Kenkre remained at the bottom, still five points behind the thirteen-point train of four teams ahead of them.
Credits: I-League Media
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read: Shubho Paul the hero as Sudeva Delhi edge out TRAU FC
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / MFA Super League
Redefining Mumbai Football: The unique approach of India On Track FC
In a football landscape where clubs often prioritize short-term success over long-term sustainability, India On Track FC (IOT FC) stands out as a beacon of dedication, unity, and unwavering commitment…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJ-GMSC Completes Unbeaten Season with Draw Against Millat FC
Kartik Strike in the first half seize’s MYJ-GMSC their unbeaten debut season in MFA Premier League In a high-octane Clash at the MFA Premier League, MYJ-GMSC faced off against Millat…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MH Oranje FC Seals Penultimate Game with Thrilling 2-1 Win Over Reliance FYC
Yogesh Kadam’s First-Half Brace Propels MH Oranje FC Toward a Strong Season Finish. MH Oranje FC clinched a significant 2-1 win over Reliance FYC in the penultimate game of the…
Mumbai City FC ease past FC Goa to set up blockbuster grand finale clash against ISL Champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Mumbai, April 29: Mumbai City FC set up a finals date with the Mohun Bagan Super Giant after defeating FC Goa by 2-0 in the second leg of their semi-final…
Mumbai City FC crowned ISL Cup Winners after remarkable 3-1 comeback win against Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Mumbai City FC crowned ISL Cup Winners Kolkata, May 4: Mumbai City FC beat Mohun Bagan Super Giant 3-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium to emerge as the Indian Super…
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…
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…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…