Zotea's goal en routes Aizawl for a fairy tale season. Image Source: AIFF[/caption]Aizawl: Aizawl FC on their way to create a monstrous feat in the history of the Hero I-League as Khalid Jamil's team, who got relegated from the I-League in the previous season, before being called back to play the league by the AIFF. The Highlanders clinched a sensational victory over Mohun Bagan by 1-0 today at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here today. A draw in the last game against Shillong Lajong and they will touch the glory which was thought by no one at the start of the season.
All the football lovers across India locked their eyes on the television screens to see the most talked about match of the Hero I-League as Aizawl wanted to script a new history in Indian football and Mohun Bagan wanted to re-establish the monarchy of Kolkata football for the second time in the competition in such a condition where it was becoming literally impossible for the players to track the ball due to some incessant rain, fog and clouds.
Mohun Bagan started the game is an emphatic fashion as Sony Norde delivered a gorgeous defense-splitting pass for Darryl Duffy, but the Scottish mossed an open sitter in the 3rd minute of the game. Aizawl created their first telling move in the 8th minute when Bayi Kamo triggered a shot from the left corner of the box but Debjit came into the rescue.
In the 14th minute, Jayesh Rane delivered an accurate corner for an onrushing Asutosh Mehta, but his header went just wide. Jayesh Rane continued to be the constant threat as he fired a thumping right-footer in the 38th minute from almost thirty yards out, but went inches wide of the far post.
Aizawl started the second half with a lot of purpose and Al Amna became the nucleus of all the moves. In the 49th minute, Al Amna came up with a brilliant through ball from midfield for Danmawia but Debjit came out quickly to smother the chance. In the 50th minute, Mahmoud Al Amna again robbed Eduardo on the left wing before getting to the byline and finding Jayesh Rane on the edge of the area, who swiveled and pulled the trigger only to see the shot go narrowly wide.
In the 57th minute, Brendan delivered a dangerous cross into the Bagan box from the left wing and it fell to Al Amna who left it for Danmawia who saw his shot from close range blocked by Pritam Kotal. In the 72nd minute, Mohun Bagan got a free kick against the run of play at a position which can easily be said the "Sony Norde zone" these days. But Norde's free kick was punched away by Albino Gomes. In the 79th minute, Prabir Das dodged past Chullova on the right and whipped in a cross but Japanese midfielder Katsumi's header went over the bar.
The dramatic moment came in the 82nd moment when Amna's corner was brilliantly headed home by Zohmingliana Ralte to give the host a magical lead of 1-0. It was the fruit of some terrific attacking football by the Highlanders in the second half. The goal was greeted by a thunderous roar from the Aizawl FC fans.
Aizawl FC are now in the pole position to win the title. They just need a draw against Shillong Lajong in their last game to repeat the illustrious glory made by Leicester City in the Premier League last season!
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