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People of Aizawl will have reasons to celebrate tonight as Aizawl FC humbled an inform Gokulam FC at the Rajiv Gandhi this afternoon to end their I-League 2017-18 campaign with 24 points from 18 matches.
Mahmood Al Ajmi (25′) calmly converted a penalty kick in the first half but it was cancelled out by a sublime brace from Leonce Dodoz (59′, 74′) before Lalkhawpuiamawia (78′) blasted the back of the net to seal the fate of the match. With the win, defending champions rise to the fifth spot on the table, having pitch-forked Shillong Lajong FC who will host East Bengal in three day’s time.
The home side made three changes as Santosh Kashyap handed goalkeeper Lalawmpuia his first start of the season. Masih Saighani and Albert were slotted in place of Lalthathanga Khawlhring and Albert Zohmingmawia. Sticking to a 3-5-2 formation, Lalkhawpuimawia and Leonce Dodoz led the forward line.
Bino George made only one change form their last game as Kivi Zhimoni made way for Salman K. Henry Kisseke and Salman K. led the line in Aizawl supported by Bahrain midfield maestro Mahmood Al Ajmi.
The sound of beating drums echoed across the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium as Aizawl FC’s Red Army stood loyally behind their team. Dodoz was presented with the first chance of the match but the forward was denied by Bilal Khan’s excellent save.
Gokulam Kerala FC replied the favour a few minutes later, Rashin’s long ranger was thwarted away by their debutant goalie. Bino’s boys started to dominate the proceedings and they were unlucky as Jayaraj’s curling effort flew just wide of the target.
Kissaka’s shot from inside the box struck Kim Kima’s arm and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Al Ajmi stepped up and made no mistake scoring his third goal of the season, first in this match.
Albert had a wonderful chance to level the game after he was released by Andrei’s killer pass but the winger could not find the back of the net as goalkeeper Bilal stood firm.
At the stroke of the hour-mark, Bilal was in the receiving end when he slipped Albert’s cross a few minutes later which fell to Dodoz and the striker found the back of the net from four yards out.
The goal proved to be vital as Aizawl FC retrieved the rhythm of their game. Bino Geroge introduced Naga striker Kivi in place of Al Ajmi but it was the home side who went all guns blazing today ahead of their colourful home crowd. Dodoz skipped past Rashid and the Cote D’Ivoire-based striker wrong-footed the goalkeeper to rattle the net once again in the 74th minute.
Aizawl FC scored their third goal of the match four minutes later as the Reds finally, converted from a corner. Khawlhring’s corner was weakly fisted away by Bilal before it fell right in the path of Khawpuimawia who hammered it past the Gokulam Kerala FC defenders to notch his third goal of the season following a brace against Indian Arrows.
Gokulam Kerala FC who have garnered 20 points from 17 matches will play their final game of the season when they host Mohun Bagan on March 6.
