By Aizawl FC Media

AIZAWL: The second leg of the McDowell’s Mizoram Premier League Season 4 played between Aizawl FC and Zo United ended in favour of Aizawl FC, as they went past Zo United FC by 1-0, Aizawl FC’s Brandon scored the only goal of the match with his perfectly placed shot in the 18^th minute of the first half. Starting the game with a win on our side Aizawl FC were clearly the favourite to go on to the Finals, Zo United FC put on a strong starting eleven looking for a win and put up a strong resistance and fought till the final whistle.

T.Mawia is back between the goal posts with the regular pairing of Ronald and Chullova in the middle, Ruatthara and Zuala on the left and right defensive line. Head Coach Manuel once again fielded the trio of Yuta, Bt-a and Ms-a in the middle with Yuta playing the Central Defensive Midfielder role and Bt-a and Ms-a controlling the pace of the game from the middle of the pitch. Alfred teamed up with Brandon on the left and Biaktea on the right in the attacking third.

Aizawl FC and Zo United FC made their plan clear right from the first whistle, looking for an early goal to keep their confidence up and kill the game as early as possible. Aizawl FC had their first chance in the early minutes but were unable to find target and continued to press on with ball possession on their side. The boys in red were clearly the better team right from the early minutes, in their defensive play and the pattern of their attacks exploiting the left and right wings and stretching Zo United FC backline from the start.

Liberian striker Alfred showed his strength and dribbling skills inside Zo United FC’s penalty box, the defenders dispossessed the Liberian and made a weak clearance allowing Brandon to curl a wonderful shot from the edge of the box into the far corner beyond the reach of Zo United FC’s Op-a.

Zo United had their chance to equalize a few minutes after conceding a goal but missed their opportunity.The teams played an attacking game, but on different terms, Aizawl FC looked for a second goal to kill the game while Zo United FC looked for their first goal to put the game on level terms. With both teams failing in the little chances they created, the first half ended 1-0.

After the restart Head Coach Manuel substituted Biaktea for Albert in the frontline and made his intentions clear, the Coach is looking for another goal with the introduction of Albert. The teams continued in their pursuit of goal but were unable to add another as the game fizzled in to a dull second half show. Head Coach Manuel added another attacker and substituted his hard working midfielder Bt-a for William and switched formation.

The game at this point is turning into a midfield battle and chances were few, Zo United FC’s fast paced attackers stretched the men in red on few occasions but were unable to end their goal drought, Aizawl FC did no better, unable to break the defence line of Zo United FC.

Aizawl FC’s Ruatthara had a chance at goal from a counter attack but had his shot denied by the keeper.

Alfred pulled a screamer in the 78^th minute but was denied by the post.

Manuel used his last substitute of the match in the 79^th minute substituting Alfred for Dampuia. The fresh legs of Dampuia added an additional dimension of attack, the forward created a chance after dribbling past two defenders but his weak shot was no hard work for Zo United FC’s able goalkeeper.

The early goal of Brandon stood tall till the end of the game, Aizawl FC marches on.