AGENCIES
Aizawl
Aizawl FC registered a 3-1 come-from-behind victory against Churchill Brothers to move to the second position in the I-League here on Friday.
Following Ansumana Kromah's 33rd minute opener for the away team, Lalramchullova (62') and Kamo Bayi (68') turned the game in favour of the home team before Banpynkhrawnam Nongkhlaw's own goal (76') bettered Aizawl's margin of victory. Aizawl are now on 16 points to be third in the league standings after eight matches. Churchill remain rooted to eighth after mustering just five points from eight matches.
Khalid Jamil made two changes from his side that lost 2-1 to Mohun Bagan as Lalruatthara and Albert Zohmingmawia made way for Lalramchullova and Brandon Vanlalremdika. Churchill coach Alfred Fernandes handed goalkeeper Naveen Kumar and winger Gabriel Fernandes their first start this season as the duo, along with Meldon D'Silva, replaced Priyant Singh, Surabuddin Mollick and Rowilson Rodrigues respectively in the visitors' first eleven.
Both teams started the match on a good note. In the eighth minute, Kromah and Anthony Wolfe combined well to weave past the home defence but failed to put the finishing touches to it. Jayesh Rane continued his good form in midfield for the Highlanders, dictating play. In the 22nd minute, the former Mumbai FC man had a chance inside the box but he shot wide.
Aizawl looked the more adventurous of the two teams creating more opportunities. But against the run of play, the visitors took the lead when Zohmingliana Ralte fouled Wolfe inside the box handing the rivals a penalty. Striker Ansumana Kromah converted from the spot in the 33rd minute.
In the second half, midfield mainstay Mahmoud Amnah was brought in to change the fate of the game by Khalid Jamil. Amnah's influence seemed to work as Aizawl won a penalty after the hour mark when Asutosh Mehta was found guilty inside the box. Lalramchullova made no mistake from the penalty spot and scored in the 62nd minute.In the 68th minute, Bayi received a pass from Jayesh Rane and got past his marker, Meldon, to score the goal that gave his side the lead for the first time in the game as the Ivorian shrugged off the boos directed at him by the assembled crowd a bit earlier. Amna was combining well with Alfred Jaryan and later with fellow-substitute Albert, whose attempt flew just over the bar.
Then in the 76th minute, Lalramchullova's cross from the left wing saw Nongkhlaw's bid to pass the ball to Naveen Kumar result in an own goal. The Churchill goalkeeper was already off his line when Nongkhlaw attempted to divert the cross.
