I-League 2019: Aizawl and Mohun Bagan play out a goalless draw in opener

Aizawl and Mohun Bagan played a goalless draw in the opening tie of the I-League 2019-20 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Mualpai, Aizawl on Saturday. Aizawl FC started with two foreigners and a number of U21 players as opposed to a full-strength Mohun Bagan. 

Mohun Bagan were all over into the game from the word go. Julen Collins was played on with a brilliant through ball but the Spaniard missed the target by a few inches despite no pressure on him in the 2nd minute. Mohun Bagan’s play was dictated by Joseba Beitia in the midfield who held the play and formed the basis of all attacking moves.

Nongdamba Naorem troubled the Aizawl defence as well with his regular peach of a through balls. He found VP Suhair with a defence-splitting ball in the 7th minute. Suhair took a little more time than needed, his shot was blocked by the Aizawl shot-stopper Lalremruata in a 1v1 situation. Naorem continued his quick passes and had a few shot himself. After an early Mohun Bagan dominance, Aizawl steadily clawed back into the game with few close chances at goal themselves. 

William Lalnunfela was played on by Lalrosanga for a shot at goal from a low angle. Majumdar saved in the 39th minute. Lalnunfela again came close to scoring in the 43rd minute. He received a cross from the left, chested it down and had a shot on goal from a point-blank range. However, Majumdar made himself look tall and parried it away.

The second-half began in a mixed fashion. Aizawl were looking a very confident side. They hit the side-netting right in the 47th minute through Rochharzela. Joseba Beitia also had a shot on goal in the 48th minute after a brilliant triple hold-up play as Naorem, Morante and Beitia combined. Aizawl kept on growing into the game and started dictating possession in the second-half, thus turning the tables in the essence of play.

Roccharzela delivered in a dangerous cross in the 66th minute towards Lalnunfela but Daniel Cyrus somehow bailed Mohun Bagan out of the danger. As the second-half progressed, Aizawl kept on resorting to wing-play from both the flanks and kept the Mohun Bagan full-backs busy. They also earned a good number of set-pieces around the outside of the box, but to of no use whatsoever.

Mohun Bagan had a few half-chances by the end of the game but none of them could be materialised and the game ended goalless. The game was a tale of two-halves with Mohun Bagan largely dominating in the first-half while the tables turned in the favour of Aizawl in the second-half.

Mohun Bagan host Churchill Brothers in on 8 December in Kalyani while Aizawl visit NEROCA on 6 December.