I-League 2017-18: Arrows holds Aizawl FC to a 2-2 draw

Masih Saighani gave Aizawl the lead in the 40th minute, while Edmund Lalrindika made it all square three minutes into the second half.

Aizawl FC took the lead in the 54th minute, before an Indian Arrows comeback saw converting from the penalty spot in the 89th minute to share the points.

Indefatigable Indian Arrows staged yet another stupendous comeback as it held ten-man Aizawl FC to a 2-2 draw in its I-League encounter at the Tilak Maidan here.

Masih Saighani gave Aizawl the lead in the 40th minute, while Edmund Lalrindika made it all square three minutes into the second half.

Aizawl took the lead once again as Dodoz struck in the 54th minute, before an Arrows comeback saw Amarjit Singh converting from the penalty spot in the 89th minute to share the points.

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As far as changes go, Edmund Lalrindika, who made a telling impact against Churchill Brothers as a substitute, was slotted into the first eleven.

Edmund was given the task of leading the line in place of Aniket Jadhav and he didn’t disappoint as he scored his first goal of the I-League season.

Aizawl’s new coach Santosh Kashyap decided to bring in David Lalrinmuana and C. Lalrosanga in place Syhlo Malsawmtluanga and F. Liandala Senawere.

Liandala, who came on as a substitute, paid a heavy price, having conceded a penalty as well as inviting his second marching order of the season.

After the highly-contested stalemate, the standings remain unchanged, with Aizawl FC sitting firmly in sixth and Arrows in the eighth position.

At the start of the game, the visitor made its intentions clear and put pressure on the Arrows defence. Arrows was left to do the chasing as it trailed 1-0 at half-time, but it roared back in style in the 48th minute.

Aizawl looked to be tiring as Arrows kept running at it. It wasnot able to find a breakthrough, until Aizawl conceded a penalty in the 87th minute.

Lalrosanga clumsily brought down Rahul KP inside the box. Lalrosanga was given his marching order as he picked up his second yellow.

Captain Amarjit Singh stepped up and pumped the ball over the diving Paul to make it 2-2. In the next round of fixtures, Aizawl will travel to Shillong to take on Lajong on February 19, whereas Arrows will have sufficient rest before it faces Aizawl again in the reverse fixture on February 23.