The game was being played at the VYBK Stadium, SaltLake, Kolkata. Hero of the Match Zikahi Dodoz drew first blood for Aizawl FC in the 23rd minute while Enrique Esqueda restored parity for the Red & Golds in the 65th minute from a delicious cross from substitute Samad Mallick.

Kareem Nurain was given the marching orders for showing dissent to a Yellow Card that was given to him for his foul on Joby Justin in the 70th minute. Quess East Bengal are now placed second sharing the position with debutants Real Kashmir FC in the Hero I-League points table with 33 points, seven points short of league toppers Chennai City FC.

The game began with Quess East Bengal in their iconic Red & Gold jersey while Aizawl FC in white.  The hosts began in the absence of Costa Rican world cupper Johnny Acosta who was suspended for the game for having collected four yellow cards. Salam Ranjan Singh, who was playing his first match after his outing with the national team for the AFC Asian Cup 2019, replaced him.

While Spaniard Jamie Santos found his place in the starting eleven as Menendez benched Toni Dovale for the game. For Aizawl FC Kareem Omolaja found his place due to Govin Singh’s suspension. Remsanga Fanai and Dusatsanga also found their spots in the starting eleven for Aizawl FC.

As expected Quess East Bengal nursing their ambition for a title win in the 12th Hero Ileague started on an attacking note. Jobby Justin along with Esqueda and Jamie Santos made some threatening moves but full credit to Aizawl defence to keep the hosts scoring ambitions at bay.

Aizawl FC kept trying to make opportunities but was unable to breach into Quess East Bengal’s defensive deadlock. Aizawl’s efforts soon yielded results when Dodoz received a long ball from Alfred Jaryan, who thereafter made no mistake in finding the back of the net after lobbing the ball beautifully over an onrushing Rakshit Dagar to draw first blood for the visitors in the 23rd minute.

The game thereafter suddenly changed gears as it were Aizawl FC who controlled the game mostly pressing hard and creating opportunities in quick succession. Quess East Bengal who were trying hard for an equalizer came really close to one when Danmawiya took a beautiful shot at the goal from outside the box, which would have been an outstanding goal if not for the timely intervention from Aizawl FC’s goalkeeper who just tipped the ball out to ensure that the visitors continue with their solitary goal lead in the game.

The game thereafter mostly revolved around both the teams creating chances but none of them could really find an opportunity to score. The first half ended with Quess East Bengal trailing 0-1 to Aizawl FC. The second half began with Quess East Bengal pressing hard for an equalizer but full marks to an extremely alert Aizawl defence who ensured that the hosts do not get any clear opportunity to score.

In the middle, Aizawl did make a few attempts to double their lead through Dodoz but Borja Gomez in combination with Chullova nad Salam Ranjan ensured that the hosts do not add to their woes. Early into the first half Samad Mallick was brought in place for Manoj Mohammad and the substitution soon yielded results when Samad made an inch-perfect curling cross beating Aizawl defenders and the goalkeeper to Esqueda, who made no mistakes in heading the ball to the back of the net bringing all the important equalizer for Quess East Bengal in the 65th minute.

The game thereafter opened up to fierce attacks from both ends, with the hots having the better of the chances. Aizawl defence and their young Goalkeeper Lalawmpuia played beyond expectations to restrict the charging Red & Gold forward line from converting any opportunities that came their way. Things turned bad for Aizawl when Kareem Nurain was yellow carded for a foul on Joby Justin and eventually given the marching orders for his dissent by the referee in the 70th minute.

Quess East Bengal tried to make the most of the opportunity that was presented to them, but a solid defence line of Aizawl FC ensured that scoreline did not change any further. Quess East Bengal, however, came really close to taking the lead on two occasions during the added time, but luck wasn’t on their side when the first one from Joby Justin his the post, eventually to be cleared out safely and the second one from Didika which just missed the goal by a few inches. The game came to an end with both Quess East Bengal and Aizawl FC sharing the spoils in a 1-1 tie.

Also Read: Another step towards title as Chennai sink Mariners

Also Read: Real Kashmir maintain unbeaten streak against Arrows

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While the Kolkata giants would like to reduce the gap with table-toppers Chennai City FC in their run for the title, Aizawl FC who are currently placed 9th in the points table would aim to bring some consistency to their campaign this season.

The game is scheduled for a 5 PM Kick-Off.

A win for the visitors would only strengthen their confidence as a team as they have largely failed to impress all throughout their campaign. Quess East Bengal who have been in a pristine form this season, however, would be wary about the former champions, whom they had suffered a 2-3 loss against in the first leg in November 2018.

The hosts have shown immense strength in their defence having only conceded 17 goals this season. With the likes of Costa Rican world-cupper Johnny Acosta, Borja Gomez and Chullova in the defence line, it wouldn’t be an easy task for Aizawl FC to breach the deadlock.

Aizawl FC’s forward line comprising of Zikahi Dodoz, Kromah and Jaryan can also be equally threatening. Meanwhile, they can draw motivation from their exploits in the first meeting.

East Bengal’s Spanish Coach Alejandro Menendez must be given credit for his tactical improvisations in their midfield, where it has been crucial, and should pose difficulty for the opponents. With the likes of Mexican Esqueda and Joby Justin in the forward line, the hosts have a lethal attack force up their sleeves who have been creating trouble for all the opponents this season. Incidentally, Joby is the highest Indian and third highest goal scorer this season with 9 goals to his kitty.

Alejandro Menendez said, “It is an important match for us. Mostly everything is good with the team till now. Aizwal will impost a tough competition although they are fighting for relegation now. At this moment, the focus is on working hard for the next match and the next opponent. The team is focusing on the next match.”

“We always work to win and we are looking to win all the three matches which are left. If we practice hard and give our best we can win the title”, Menendez sounded confident.

Aizawl FC, on the other hand, would have major defensive worries, having leaked as many as 24 goals in sixteen games so far. They haven’t been able to score many as well, managing only 17 goals from 18 games so far.

Speaking ahead of the game tomorrow, Aizawl FC coach Stanley Rozario, “Tomorrow’s match is very important because it is a tough match for us. East Bengal is a good team and it is their home match. We are ready for the match. East Bengal is playing for the championship so they will be giving their best.”

“Every match is different as every team has its own style which changes according to the game. Football is a game where anything can happen. We will be giving our best to play well tomorrow”, Rozario added further.

Also Read: Another step towards title as Chennai sink Mariners

Also Read: Real Kashmir maintain unbeaten streak against Arrows

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The Red & Golds will keep an eye on league leaders Chennai City FC, who are just three points ahead of them. Chennai has played a game more.

The game is crucial for Churchill who is at fourth. A win on Sunday would catapult them to second as the league enters a crucial phase.

The hosts eked out an impressive odd-goal win against the Goan outfit in the first leg game the previous year. Given how QEB beat Shillong Lajong 5-0 in the previous game, Churchill will be wary of the home team’s form.

Spanish coach Alejandro Menendez Garcia got the best out of QEB’s Indian and foreign players. He has used the squad judiciously throughout the campaign.

Garcia’s team is the only in the 11-team league to have an Indian player as top-scorer. Jobby Justin’s nine goals make him numero uno in the goal scorer’s list. Laldanmawia Ralte scored seven goals and is second best in QEB’s scoring charts.

Garcia said this at the pre-game press conference: “Churchill Brothers is a difficult team. This team has always been close to the top of the table and they score very easily which is very dangerous for our team. I prepare to win matches and if I prepare something for defence, then it will not be for one player. It will be for defending against the team and to avoid the opponent getting chances. We have our plan to win against Churchill Brothers and not against Plaza or anyone individually.”

Churchill endured a shock-loss to bottom-placed Shillong Lajong at home. It may come to haunt them as the league reaches its business end.

They have had two standout contributors this season. Trinidadian striker Willis Deon Plaza has notched up a phenomenal 17 goals in as many games. He was scoring at will at one stage of the campaign!

Skipper Dawda Cessay has been the other standout player. His nine assists are the most by any player in the league. As revealed by their coach, his absence will be a big blow for Churchill.

Churchill’s Romanian coach Petre Gigui had this to say: “Tomorrow’s match is not a do or die match for us. We will be fighting like every other game but it will be difficult. It is not the same atmosphere because we have lost many points in the last three games. Maybe the pressure was too much and at the same time we don’t have the complete first 11 players – Eldor, Ceesay, Mohanraj, Richard Costa – they are all injured and won’t be playing tomorrow. Tomorrow we will be playing against a very good team. They have good players and very good foreigners too. Plus their spectators’ support will be there because the people in Kolkata love their football.”

Expect a cracker at the VYBK on Sunday!

Also Read: Gokulam and Arrows share honors in dour contest

Also Read: Late Singh goal helps Bagan beat Aizawl

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Laldanmawia (penalty) and Jobby Justin scored for East Bengal in the 26th and 64th minutes respectively. Ninthoi (penalty) scored the only goal for Arrows in the 90th minute.

Arrows’ resolute defending and East Bengal’s experienced play ensured that a chunk of the game was played out in midfield. Vikram Pratap’s failed effort was Arrows’ best chance to score in the first-half.

East Bengal, on the other hand, played from the midfield and tried to score on the counter. And the tactic paid off when Laldanmawia scored in the 26th minute after a superb assist from Jaime Santos.

It could have been two-nil to the visitors if Didicka hadn’t missed from the spot in the 30th minute. Full marks to Arrows goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill for his fantastic save!

Despite stout defending by Arrows the first-half ended 1-0 in East Bengal’s favor.

Arrows missed chances in front of goal as they searched for an equalizer in the second-half. And that laxity hurt them as East Bengal scored their second thanks to Jobby Justin’s effort off a rebound in the 64th minute.

Gill was partly at fault (for the goal) as he failed to latch on to the ball while attempting a save.

The game took a physical turn when East Bengal’s Lalram Chullova (56th minute) and Arrows’ Aniket Jadhav (84th minute) got their marching orders from the referee.

Though Arrows did score late on still it was too little too late. Jobby Justin was adjudged as the ‘Hero of the Match’.

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