I-League 2017-18: Indian Arrows rally to hold defending champions Aizawl FC

Vasco: Young guns from Indian Arrows showed a lot of heart as they rallied twice holding defending defending champions Aizawl FC to a creditable 2-2 draw in an I-League encounter on Friday. [caption id=“attachment_4354755” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Indian Arrows in action against Aizawl. I-League[/caption] Interestingly, this was a home encounter for the Indian Arrows, who remained at 8th position with 15 points from 16 games while Aizawl, who are out of the championship race are placed sixth with 18 points from 14 games. For Aizwal FC, Afghan defender Masih Saighani struck in the 40th minute while while Ivory Coast winger Leonce Dodoz Zikahi scored in the 54th minute. Indian Arrows first restored parity through Edmund Lalrindika in the 48th minute and India’s U-17 World Cup skipper Amarjit Singh Kiyam’s 89th minute spot-kick conversion got them a point. The AIFF developmental side, which had stunned Churchill Brothers with two late goal in their last match, started positively and had an early chance to score with Edmund’s shot off a Nongdamba Naorem assist being blocked by rival keeper Avilash Paul. Aizawl went ahead in the 40th minute when Albert Zohmingmawia sent a long ball on the wide left for Andrei Lonescu, who in turn released it for Saighani. The Afghan defender neatly controlled the ball before slotting it past Arrows custodian. The equaliser came in the 48th minute as Edmund Lalrindika, who did spadework past a couple of rival defenders before his curling shot found the back of the net. Arrows’ joy was however shortlived as Aizwal hit back on the counter as Albert sprinted down wide right and slid a low cross to Dodoz, who got the better of his marker and shot home from close range. Aizawl ran out of steam towards the last quarter of the match and the young turks from AIFF developmental squad kept on pressing in search of the equaliser and substitute Rahim Ali’s powerful grounder was saved by Paul, who dived to his left. Arrows earned a penalty in the 89th minute when C Lalrosanga dangerously tackled Rahul KP inside the box and earned his second yellow card along with marching orders. Amarjit made no mistake from the dreaded spot to log home a point for his team.