Aizawl FC cruise into final round of U-15 Hero I-League
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 22 2017: Aizawl FC emerged winners of the U-15 Hero I-League (rest of India) which got underway from December 15 at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium under the aegis of All India Football Federation .

Aizawl FC today drubbed Imphal City FC 4-1 to emerge champions of the league tournament which is participated by four teams including NEROCA FC and Numaligarh Refinery Limited Football Academy (NRLFA) .

Though, Imphal City FC shared the same points with Aizawl FC, they settled for the second spot on the basis of goal difference .

Aizawl FC dominated the game from the first half onward and finished cleanly with a 2-0 lead at the break .

Aizawl FC cruise into final round of U-15 Hero I-League

Lal Engliana opened the account for the Aizawl side in the 20th minute while the second goal came from Lalruatkima in the 38th minute .

After the restart too, Aizawl FC continued to control the game and Lal Famkima extended the lead to 3-0 in the 53rd minute.

Nine minutes later it was Lal Engliana who found the net again leaving the local lads in the lurch .

There was no sign of resurgence for Imphal FC until Elangbam Santosh Kumar came up with a consolation goal in the 88th minute .

In another encounter, NEROCA FC held NRLFA to a 2-2 stalemate .

NEROCA FC were able to finish the first half with a dominating 2-0 lead but NRLFA came back strongly in the second half and posted two goals and levelled the score at 2-2 .

Koijam Priyobarta struck the opener in the 32nd minute and the second goal came in the 45th minute through a spot kick nicely converted by E Sangit Singh .

After the breather, NRLFA began to press the local side which were concentrating more in the defence line .

With crisp passing and better understanding in the mid-field, NRLFA started to find the gap and it was in the 64th minute that Abhisek Saikia intruded deep in NEROCA FC’s box and banged in a clinical shot to reduce the deficit by one goal .

The leveller came just four minutes as NRLFA were awarded a penalty kick following a reckless challenge.

Hidhanta Chetia who stepped up for the kick finished it well and restored parity .

The latter part saw both teams trying to capitalise but could not bring much of a change .

Animash Gohain, Abhisek Saikia of NRLFA and Sukham Yoihenba Meitei of NEROCA FC were yellow carded.