By Aizawl FC Media
AIZAWL: McDowell’s Mizoram Premier League round 9 match between Aizawl FC and Mizoram Police was played today at Lammual ground, early goal by Mizoram Police FC stunned Aizawl FC in the first half, but the league leaders outplayed their opponent and scored two goals in the second half to maintain their position atop the league table of the Mc Dowell’s Mizoram Premier League Season 4.
Aizawl FC starts with Goalkeeper Poirei between the posts and kept the regular back four of Zuala on the right, Ruatthara on the left, Ronald and Chullova in the middle of the backline.
In the middle of the park, Captain David teamed up with the ever hard working Bta, on the left flanks Brandon caused a fair deal of nuisance for Mizoram Police FC, on the right Duata had his first start of the season.
At the front Alfred paired with William, the duo blended well and many times were too much to handle for the Mizoram Police FC defense.
In the match of top table team against bottom table team, the bottom table team Mizoram Police FC were clearly the favoured underdogs with their fair amount of history in local football. Mizoram Police FC scored their first goal 5 minutes from the start of the game after goalkeeper Poirei mishandled the ball which was easy enough for Lalfakawma to score from close range. Aizawl FC reacted fiercely and had a chance to equalise after 10 minutes but Duata’a effort was denied by the woodwork. The teams muscled for dominance in the middle of the pitch but were unable to create a goal till the end of the first half, Aizawl FC had some shots at the goal in the first half but none were on target creating little of a work for Mizoram Police FC’s goalkeeper.
The second half saw a new Aizawl FC, a team full of character and willingness to fight for a win. With Brandon on the left flanks and Albert on the right flanks in place of Duata, the flanks have more actions in the second half both wing backs Zuala and Ruatthara played their fair share with their timed and calculated over lapping runs to add to the explosive pace in the wings. The lacklustre play of Aizawl FC have been replaced by an Aizawl FC with panache and a bit of swagger in their fluent play, sometimes delaying the game to hit Mizoram Police FC with the surprise of pace and strength. Captain David scored the equaliser in the 53rd minute with his perfectly placed free-kick leaving the goalkeeper completely helpless. Alfred put his team in the lead after a solo effort dribbling past three defenders and placing his shot low beyond the reach of the keeper, the former had a chance to score his second but Mizoram Police FC’s keeper pulled a wonderful save to deny the third goal. The league leaders continued their winning form and went home with three league points to extend their lead at the top of the table.
