By Joseph Solomon,
AIFF Media Team

CUTTACK: Champions of India Aizawl FC registered a 2-1 win over Churchill Brothers in the ongoing 38^th edition of the Hero Federation Cup in Cuttack, Odisha today (May 09, 2017). With this win, Aizawl FC become the first team to secure the semi-final spot from Group A.

Chullova’s 21st-minute penalty strike for the recently crowned Hero I-League Champions was cancelled out by Ghanefo Kromah’s 84th-minute penalty strike as well. But Laldanmawia Ralte's 89th-minute header settled the tie in Aizawl FC's favour.

A slow start to the game where both teams played with caution and the only real action in the first fifteen minutes was a Kamo shot in the 6^th minute, was brought to life in the 21^st minute when Aizawl FC were awarded a penalty. Lalruatthra bombarded into the Churchill Brother’s penalty box and was brought down by Adil Khan, prompting the referee to point to the spot.

Lalram Chullova stepped up and slotted the ball into the right corner to hand Aizawl FC the lead. Albino Gomes on the opposite end kept out Brandon Fernandes’s shot a minute later as the Goan outfit searched for the equaliser.

Syrian import Mahmoud Al-Amna was given permission to join the duo of Jayesh Rane and Bayi Kamo upfront and his presence and ability to take the ball into the final third, gave Churchill’s defence a tough time.

Al-Amna, in the 39^th minute, linked up play with Kamo. But the Ivorian shot wayward of goal after seeing two defenders off. The half-time scoreline read 1-0.

It was not long for Churchill Brothers to test Aizawl FC’s defence, but the latter’s centre-back pairing held up to the task. Churchill Brothers enjoyed healthy spells of possession in the final third in the second half but could not make anything out of it.

With Aizawl FC playing cautiously in an attempt to seal off any chance for their opponents at goal, their midfield dropped back to make up numbers. That proved difficult for Churchill Brothers to handle and despite dominating possession, the Goan outfit were held at bay.

Both Teams missed the necessary edge upfront, but in the 72^nd minute Kromah latched onto a long ball and almost released his shot but was shrugged off by the Aizawl FC defence line. Churchill Brothers were awarded a penalty in the 84^th minute and Kromah stepped up to score with confidence and level proceedings as the scoreline read 1-1. 

But Ralte spoiled Churchill Brother's party as his header in the 89th minute found the back of the net to give Aizawl the advantage.The full-time scoreline read 2-1 as Aizawl FC registered their second win of the tournament to qualify for the semi-finals.