KOLKATA:
Aizawl FC
missed a penalty and failed to convert a host of chances as they were held to a 1-1 draw by newcomers
Sudeva Delhi
in their
I-League
encounter at Kalyani Stadium on Sunday.
Although Aizawl dominated from the very beginning, it was
Kean Lewis
who scored the opener for Sudeva Delhi in the 19th minute against the run of play.
It was a long throw-in from the right by Naocha Singh and the Aizawl defenders completely failed to read it. The ball went above them and an unmarked Lewis, former
Bengaluru FC player, easily volleyed it home with his right foot.
Aizawl went close to scoring on a number of occasions after that, but they were really poor in front of the goal. Eventually they did equalize in the 75th minute when captain Alfred Jaryan scored with his left foot from outside the box.
Following the equalizer, Aizawl picked up their game and five minutes later they won a penalty after Laldinpuia’s long cross from the right hit Akashdeep Singh’s hand inside the box. However, R Malsawmtluanga’s weak shot from the spot was easily saved by Sudeva goalkeeper Rakshit Dagar, who turned up for East Bengal last season.
Aizawl did not lose heart and went all out in search of the winner, but it was of no avail. With this draw, they have nine points from seven matches and are on eighth spot. Sudeva are a spot above with better goal difference.
Meanwhile, Aizawl head coach Yan Law will be highly disappointed with the performance. He was confident of a win but like their previous matches, Aizawl again failed to convert the chances that came their way. In total they had 20 shots on goal of which five were on target and won seven corners but could score only once.
Brandon Vanlalremdika, however, was really impressive for the former champions as he played his heart out for the entire match. Aizawl play Mohammedan SC, who lost 0-1 to Indian Arrows in the other match of the day, on Thursday and hopefully by then Law will be able to sort out their problems.
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