By I-League Media

GOA: A last gasp Aizawl penalty scored by R Malsawmtluanga (90+2’) ensured that the scoreline ended at 1-1 against Salgaocar FC, at Tilak Maidan, on Sunday. Darryl Duffy put the Goan side in the lead late into the first half (44’) but the advantage didn’t last until the referee’s final whistle.

Santosh Kashyap lined up a five-man defense, with new signing Eder at the heart of it, in his debut as Salgaocar FC head coach. Augustin Fernandes returned from injury, while Keenan Almeida, Reagan Singh and Gurjinder Singh comprised of the rest of the back five.

The attacking trio of Seityasen Singh, Jackichand Singh, and Darryl Duffy were entrusted with the responsibility of providing inspiration in attack.

The game started off with Aizawl nearly scoring in the first few attempts, as the North-Eastern side beat Salgaocar FC’s shape by just a couple of short passes. There were early signs of worries for the Goans.

Aizawl continued their impressive passing and agile movement, however, the closest they came to scoring the first goal was only in the 42nd minute when Lalrinpuia came inches close from a 30-yard screamer to make it 0-1 to his side; Karanjit Singh was nearly beaten.

However, it was Salgaocar who broke the deadlock as a long ball by Gurjinder Singh found Darryl Duffy through on goal and the Scott buried it from 10 yards out to make it 1-0.

The scoreline read 1-0 to Salgaocar FC at halftime.

Proceedings in the second half began with Aizawl dominating large parts of possession and constantly threatening Karanjit’s goal. They had a chance to draw level early into the half with Yuta Kinowaki’s header, but the Japanese defender’s connection was not satisfactory.

Substitute Brandon Vanlalremdika had two chances to make it 1-1 but his shots went on the wrong side of the goal in both instances.

As the game went on, Salgaocar looked to be more decisive in their tackling and hence Darryl Duffy(73’) and Rocus Lamare(79’) received yellow cards.

However, the yellow card that Salgaocar would regret the most was conceded in the 89th minute, to Reagen Singh, who mistimed his kick in the box and conceded a penalty to the visitors, which was calmly converted by Malsawmtluanga.

An enthralling Hero I-league encounter between Salgaocar FC and Aizawl FC ended at 1-1 and the result will provide much-needed confidence to Aizawl FC before traveling to Kolkata to take on mighty Kingfisher East Bengal on 5th February.