I-League: Sreenidi Deccan and Shillong Lajong play out draw; Inter Kashi beat Aizawl FC

But once again, Lajong retook the advantage five minutes later. A bullet strike from the top of the box by Buam blitzed past Ubaid CK’s near post and into the net.

It was only until the 71st minute until the goal-fest resumed again. Rosenberg Gabrial scored Sreenidi’s third equaliser with a thumping header off another Ambekar cross.

That only reignited Lajong’s spark as they churned out another goal. Buam continued his sizzling work down the right, getting the better of Eli Sabiá before cutting it back for Tardin near the by-line. The Brazilian had ample time to take a touch and thrash it home from four yards out to complete his second hat-trick of the season.

Then it was the turn of Sreenidi’s Brazilian to join the scoresheet. William Alves, who had just come on three minutes earlier, earned a penalty after being pulled down by Paulino. He stepped up himself and sent Dubey the wrong way for Sreenidi’s fourth equaliser in the 82nd minute.

And still, the drama was far from over. Neither the teams learned from their defensive frailties, nor were they keen on settling for a draw. Gladdy Nelcen Kharbuli scored Lajong’s fifth in the 91st minute when he headed Kynsailang Khongsit’s cross and then converted the rebound after Aryan Lamba had saved it. The substitute surely must have thought he had scored the winner, no matter the trend of the match.

But for the fifth time, Sreenidi fought back. Ambekar, who had two assists already, got another one of sorts when his long throw was kicked into the Lajong goal by Aman Ahlawat with a miscued clearance.

While the score line didn’t change again, the drama continued until the last kick. Sreenidi were reduced to ten men as Mohammad Sajid Dhot was sent off for a last-man challenge on Tardin.

Then the visitors had the ball in the net for the sixth time as Ahlawat’s header was turned into the goal by a Lajong shirt at the far post, however, the assistant referee’s flag went up for offside.

Both sides climbed one place each on the table with the point. After nine games each, Lajong are now fourth with 13 points, while Sreenidi are sixth with 11.

Inter Kashi beats Aizawl FC

A rollercoaster of a match swayed from one end to another before Inter Kashi beat Aizawl FC 4-3 at the Kalyani Stadium, on Saturday.

Aizawl led 2-0 at the break before the hosts made a stunning second-half comeback.

Inter Kashi’s win was secured with goals from Bryce Miranda, Nicola Stojanovic, and Edmund Lalrindika, along with an own goal from Aizawl FC.

Aizawl had taken an early lead with Augustine Lalrochana scoring first, followed by a double from Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia. They were reduced to ten men after Lalbiakdika received a red card in the 90th minute.

The match saw Inter Kashi cement their position in third place in the I-League standings, level on points with second-placed Namdhari but trailing due to an inferior head-to-head record.

The game began with Aizawl FC taking a swift lead in the fifth minute, showcasing their intent despite a disheartening 6-0 loss to Churchill Brothers in their previous fixture. Lalbiakdika’s brilliant run and cutback set up Augustine Lalrochana, who made no mistake in finding the net, providing an early shock to the home fans.

Aizawl’s momentum continued as Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia doubled their advantage in the 22nd minute, finishing a precise pass from Lalbiakdika, who was instrumental in both of Aizawl’s opening goals.

This left Inter Kashi reeling as they struggled to convert their chances, including a significant attempt that struck the woodwork just before Aizawl’s second goal.

The second half saw Inter Kashi stepping up their game, but they initially found themselves frustrated by Aizawl’s solid defence and an outstanding save from Aizawl’s goalkeeper Joel B Lalramchhana.

However, the match’s complexion changed in the 61st minute when a cross from Sumeet Passi was unfortunately turned into his own net by Aizawl defender Laldanmawia.

Just four minutes later, Inter Kashi capitalised on Aizawl’s shaky defence. Miranda saw his long-range effort deflect wickedly off H Lalrempuia and into the net as the scores were levelled.

The home side then took the lead for the first time in the match through Nikola Stojanovic’s thunderous free-kick in the 70th minute, which the goalkeeper could only touch before it blasted into the back of the net.

Aizawl, showing resilience, managed to draw level once again in the 82nd minute through Lalbiaknia’s calmly taken penalty, following a foul on Lalbiakdika.

But their joy was short-lived as Edmund Lalrindika restored Inter Kashi’s lead a minute later with a speculative shot that took another deflection, this time securing the win for his team.

The drama was not over, as Aizawl’s night went from bad to worse when Lalbiakdika received a red card in the final minute, reducing them to 10 men and capping off a frustrating evening. This dismissal compounded Aizawl’s woes as they extended their winless streak to seven matches, remaining eleventh in the league table with only six points.