I-League: Indian Arrows hold Aizawl to 2-2 draw

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Indian Arrows staged yet another comeback as they held ten-man Aizawl FC to a 2-2 draw in their I-League encounter at the Tilak Maidan here on Friday. Afghanistan defender 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.

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 Hero I-League season. Aizawl's new coach Santosh Kashyap had promised to go out all for a result and he decided to bring in David Lalrinmuana and C. Lalrosanga in place of 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 visitors made their intentions clear and put pressure on the Arrows defence.

After some prompting and probing, Aizawl finally breached Prabhusukhan Gill's goal in the 40th minute through the long ball route. Albert Zohmingmawia looped a ball into the box from the half-way line hoping to pick out some Aizawl head. The ball found its way to Andrei Ionescu who scuffed his volley. It then fell into the path of centre-back Masih Saigani. The defender poked the ball past Gill.

Arrows were left to do the chasing as they trailed 1-0 at half-time but they roared back in style in the 48th minute. Rightback Asish Rai managed to pick out Lalrindika with a peach of a cross from the right and he checked inside as he beat two defenders and opened his body up and curled a shot past Aizawl custodian Avilash Paul. The Aizawl goalkeeper was barely tested until that point but Lalrindika's brilliance made it 1-1.

However, Aizawl wrestled back their lead in the 54th minute. Albert Zohmingmawia ran down the right flank and slid a low cross into the box. Dodoz peeled away from his markers and made the deftest of touches to beat Gill from three yards out. Aizawl looked to be tiring as Arrows kept running at them. They were not 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 they face Aizawl again in the reverse fixture on February 23.

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