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Aizawl FC held an off-colour Mohammedan Sporting to a goalless draw in the I-League 2023-24 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium on Saturday, February 10, 2024. A series of missed chances meant Mohammedan were left to rue the dropped points.
The Kolkata side, however, are still the comfortable leaders in the I-League table, five points clear of second-placed Real Kashmir FC. While they now have 28 points from 13 matches, the home side have 20 from 12 outings.
Right from the start, Mohammedan Sporting looked like the cohesive unit they have been all season, not the one that turned up against Real Kashmir last week. Dominant in possession, strong in defence and most importantly, with a midfield completely in charge of the game, they looked the far better side for most of the half.
And yet, if there is one thing Aizawl FC are known for, it is not giving up easily and also relying on the energy of youngsters who are always eager to get to the ball and win their battles. The biggest moment of the first half fell to David Lalhlansanga, who was put through one-on-one against Nora Fernandes after some brilliant build-up play between Evgenii Koslov and Juan Carlos Nellar. Fernandes was up to the task, though, pulling off a brilliant save to keep the teams level at the break.
The pattern of play continued into the second half, with Mohammedan Sporting dominating possession, creating chances, but being unable to finish Aizawl FC off. The home team, on the other hand, were happy to just play on the counter and sow enough doubt in their opponents to ensure they keep their defence covered.
The best chance of the game fell to Eddie Hernandez in the 83rd minute of the game. Some brilliant build-up play from Lalhlansanga saw the winger drift deep into the box and cut the ball back to the perfectly positioned Honduran inside the six-yard area. Somehow, he mishit the ball as it looped up in the goalkeeper’s arms. Aizawl FC took the point with delight as Mohammedan Sporting rued their missed chances which allowed a sense of competition back into the title race.
