Aizawl beat Gokulam Kerala 3-2 in I-League

Aizawl: Former champions Aizawl FC huffed and puffed before beating Gokulam Kerala FC 3-2 in a high-scoring I-League match here on Saturday.

Ansumana Kormah opened the scoring on the 51st minute, before Mapuia and Rochhar Zela added two more on the 63rd and 70th minutes.

Gokulam mounted a late fightback deep into the added time, when Joel Sunday scored twice in the last two minutes of injury time, one from open play, and the other from the penalty spot. However, it was too little too late for the visitors in the end.

Aizawl FC head coach Gift Raikhan made five changes to his starting XI from the previous match against Indian Arrows. Lalhriatrenga, Vanlalduata, Paul Ramfangzaua, Lalramhmunmawia and Lalrinfela Fanaia made way for Rochharzela and Govin Singh and the new trio of Lalrinchhana, Lalrosanga, Vanlalthanga.

Gokulam head coach Bino George also made attacking changes as Pritam Singh, Mudde Musa, Jayaraj and Suhair replaced Mirza, J Balakrishnan, Christian Sabah and Joel Sunday from their defeat against Indian Arrows.

With both teams winless in their last three games, their respective coaches took a cautious approach to the game with few chances coming in the first half. The home side had the first goal-scoring chance of the match as Chhara from the right flank sent in a delightful cross but Mapuia could not guide the ball towards goal as his header flew just wide of the post.

Gokulam found it hard to stamp their authority in the match as Raikhan's boys pressed high. Left-back Vanlalthanga, who was playing his first match in the I-League, had a thunderous shot from 35 yards out but was unlucky as Kunniyal parried it above the crossbar.

The Kerala side attacked from the left wing with Jayaraj proving a handful for the new boy Lalrosanga. Musa and Suhair VP linked well for the away side but could not test Aizawl goalkeeper Lalawmpuia.

Liberian forward Kromah had the best chance in the first half. Chhara bamboozled Gokulam left-back Dimple Bhagat and sent a low cross to Kromah, who was free in the six-yard box, but the striker could not connect his shot as it was easily cleared by the Gokulam defenders.

Gokulam coach Bino Geroge made a tactical substitution at the start of the second half, putting forward Rajesh in place of midfielder Rashid. The Kerala attacker could hardly settle down when Aizawl scored the first goal in the 51st minute through Ansumana Kromah.

Left-back Vanlalthanga's clearance was not dealt with by the Gokulam defenders as Kromah slipped from the defenders to coolly slot the ball to the back of the net.

Aizawl's second goal resulted from an assist by Rinchhana. The diminutive midfielder's defense-splitting pass to Mapuia was converted calmly by the striker.