By Shoubhik Mukhopadhyay
I-League Media Team

GOLAGHAT (ASSAM): Aizawl FC overwhelms the Blue half of Mizoram, Chanmari FC, by a whipping margin of 4-2 in round 13 and etched their name in Hero I-League 2015-16. Their campaign got a bit shaken while they had to swallow a defeat against the Kashmir boys in Round 11.

The red half of Mizoram fastened their belts after this defeat and outsmarted Kenkre and local-rival Chanmari FC in back to back fixtures, on the other hand Lonestar Kashmir FC squandered copious chances and dished out listless performances in the attacking half against PIFA and Kenkre. The Mumbai outfits squeezed out two invaluable draw against the boys from Kashmir who eventually fell short to attain the zenith of Indian football.

Today Aizawl FC had nothing in mind but to register a win against their local rival. From the zero hour, they were absolutely spot on and flooded the Chanmari FC box with flurry of attacks. Brandon Vanlalremdika provided the early lead to his team in the 9th minute from a powerful header which was beyond Lalruatpuia, Chanmari Goalie’s reach. Within 4 minutes, another local lad, Laldampuia took his chance to show some tactics from outside the box and curled the ball beautifully which landed into the right side of the net. Stadium erupted as did the Aizawl FC bench.

After the break, Aizawl FC didn’t show any intention to pull out the plug and darted another goal just 6 minutes into the half. Alfred Jaryan added the third one to goal sheet and Chanmari FC, albeit they were showing some glimpses of brilliance, were almost ousted from the match. Laldampuia increased the gap on 60 minutes and they were hovering over a 4-goal lead by then.

Chanmari FC had some consolation while Malsawmfela and Lalrosanga netted two spectacular pieces of goals in the 79th minute and in the 3rd minute of the added time.

The Aizawl Boys went berserk while then news came from other ground that Lonestar Kashmir had strewn numerous chances against Kenkre and had to salvage a draw. Lonestar Kashmir FC is 2nd at the moment having amassed 27 points from 13 outings, 4 points adrift of Aizawl FC. The post-match hurdle and praying was absolutely mesmerising and the Mizo-prodigies are bound to bring a fresh breeze in Hero I-League. They have the mandate to be joyous but complacent, a journey which embarked from Aizawl, should send out a strong message to every corner of India.