Duffy gives Salgaocar 1-0 win over Aizawl FC

In the 32nd minute, Scottish striker Darryl Duffy stepped up to take a free-kick outside the box and rattled the back of the net after parrying across the Aizawl FC wall and Lalawmpuia. It was the eleventh goal of the season for the prolific striker.

Darryl Duffy scored his 11th goal of the season to help Salgaocar FC win.

A Darryl Duffy free-kick goal gave Salgaocar FC a 1-0 victory over host Aizawl FC at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium in the I-League match on Monday.

With the win, Salgaocar FC jumped to the fifth spot with 16 points from 14 games. Aizawl FC is placed eighth with 13 points from 15 matches.

The game kicked off with the home side attempting to attack relentlessly albeit without panache. After a few minutes, Salgaocar FC made a clever attacking move but Darryl Duffy's pass towards Jackichand Singh was too heavy.

In the 32nd minute, Scottish striker Darryl Duffy stepped up to take a free-kick outside the box and rattled the back of the net after parrying across the Aizawl FC wall and Lalawmpuia. It was the eleventh goal of the season for the prolific striker. He was however cautioned eight minutes later when he had a little outburst after the referee did not foul Aizawl FC defender Lalruatthara after their collision.

With a lead to boast about , the Goan side made its game more defensive to avoid conceding a goal. Though both sides made moves at their attacking fronts, no goal was scored after that. The only goal scored by Darryl Duffy made the difference between the teams on the halfway mark.

The second half began with Duffy almost doubling the lead through an immaculate shot within the box after his side made a counter-attack, but it was well blocked by Lalchhawnkima.

Aizawl FC made every possible effort to net the equalizer but the Salgaocar FC defenders managed to thwart it. The Aizawl side continued to put pressure on goalkeeper Karanjit Singh with myriads of shots but the host failed to convert those chances.

Lalramzauva Khiangte, who came in off the bench, made a striking shot which went over the bar towards the end of the game. Lalruatthara and Martin Scott were cautioned in the eighty-second minute following a scuffle.

The goalkeeper of Salgaocar FC Karanjit Singh walked away as the Hero of the Match for his excellent display today.

Post the match, Karanjit Singh expressed his satisfaction, “I am very happy and satisfied. I used my experience at the right time. I believe we are now safe from relegation.” However, he also added, “We will not sit and relax in the next two matches.”

Jahar Das, the head coach of Aizawl FC admitted, “We made mistakes today but we will try our best to win the next match.”