I-League 2021: Indian Arrows show great determination in thrilling 2-1 win over Aizawl FC, Neroca defeated

Kolkata: The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) developmental side, Indian Arrows showed great determination to notch up a thrilling 2-1 win over Aizawl FC in an I-League match in Kolkata on Tuesday. Parthib Gogoi’s (11th) early strike was cancelled out by a wonder goal from Malsawmtluanga (22nd), but the Arrows showcased their never-say-die attitude as Lalchhanhima Sailo’s strike in the 36th minute proved to be the difference between the two sides. Goalkeeper Syed Zahid Hussain Bukhari, in inspired form, made some crucial saves in the second half to help the young guns in maintaining their lead. Coming on the back of a 1-0 win over NEROCA, Yan Law’s team played with confidence and created goal-scoring chances in the opening minutes of the match. But they fell behind in the 11th minute, courtesy a beautiful Gogoi goal. A deflected shot found Gogoi inside the box and the nimble-footed forward curled the ball into the back of the net as the Indian Arrows led 1-0.

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— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) March 16, 2021

Aizawl FC kept dominating possession and they were rewarded in the 22nd minute when Malsawmtluanga produced a sensational finish from outside of the box to bring the team back on level terms. However, Sailo put the Arrows ahead when he found an accurate cross inside the box and smashed it into the top corner with his left foot. Aizawl FC are mathematically safe from relegation and the Mizoram-based club left no stone unturned to find the equaliser. In the 68th minute, Zahid Hussain pulled out a blinder of a save to deny Aizawl from close range after substitute Lalremsanga’s shot from inside the box was parried away. In the 70th minute, Hussain once again shut the gates for Aizawl as he saved Brandon’s attempt from close range. Neroca’s problems continue NEROCA FC slipped into the relegation zone after slumping to yet another defeat in the I-League, going down 0-1 to Sudeva Delhi FC. Gursimrat Singh Gill’s header in added time of the first half proved to be the difference between the two sides in a match where NEROCA had largely themselves to blame for the defeat. The side from Manipur now lay rock-bottom of the league with eight points from 13 games. Coming on the back of a 0-1 loss to Aizawl FC in their last match, NEROCA needed to gather all three points in order to stand a chance of taking the relegation battle to the final matchday. The best opportunity of the first half fell to Judah Garcia in the 19th minute. After the forward danced past the opposition defensive line, he was found with a low cross from the flanks. Garcia failed to connect from close range as Sudeva Delhi survived a scare. With both teams creating multiple half-chances to take the lead, the match became an end-to-end affair. In the 38th minute, NEROCA once again lacked bodies up front as a Judah Garcia attempt to find a teammate on the back post went to waste. All of Sudeva’s attacking display finally reaped dividends in the added time of the first half when Gursimrat headed the ball home after Shaiborlang Kharpan had robbed possession off the NEROCA custodian before releasing a cross to find Gill’s head. In the 62nd minute, Kean Lewis had an opportunity to extend Sudeva’s lead but failed to make decent contact with the ball. In the 68th minute, Romtan Singh’s cross found Khanngam Horam on the far post. Horam’s header looped over the goal as another opportunity went begging. Three minutes later, NEROCA missed a sitter as they eventually lost by 0-1 margin.