The final fixture of Matchday 2 saw Mohun Bagan take on Aizawl FC at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.
Mohun Bagan, India's oldest existing club, shared spoils with Bino George's Gokulam Kerala FC in the first game of the season. The maroon and greens were looking for their first win of the season against the 2017 I-League champions Aizawl FC, who got off to a disappointing start against the all-Indian Shillong Lajong FC.
Both teams were looking for their first wins of the season and it was an exciting game from start to finish as it ended on a 2-2 stalemate.
Mohun Bagan vs Aizawl FC
Mohun Bagan ( 4 - 4 - 2 )
Just a single change for Sankarlal Chakraborty’s side as Sourav Das was replaced by Japanese Yuta Kinowaki in the centre of the park while the other players retained their spots.
Aizawl FC (4-4-2)
Four changes were made by Gift Raikhan from the side that lost the opening fixture against Shillong. Govin Singh partnered Nurain at centre back as Tochhawng was dropped. Two changes in the midfield as Uulu came in for Ramfangzauva at the base of the midfield while Zohmingmawia replaced Fanai on the right of the midfield four.
Dodoz was relegated to the bench and was replaced by Mapuia who partnered former Mohun Bagan player Kromah in the attack.
The Mizoram capital club started brightly as they looked lively with their high pressing in the initial minutes. The bright start did not last long as The Mariners soon took control at the centre of the park.
In the 29th minute, Raikhan’s decision to start Mapuia was justified as the 26 year old scored the opener from 25 yards to give Aizawl the lead. Bagan continued to play the patient game as they dominated the midfield and passed the ball around till they found the opening. The patient game paid off in the 43rd minute when Lalchhawnkima produced an exquisite finish into the top corner to level the scores just before half time.
Second half continued in a similar way as Bagan dominated possession and created a number of chances.
Chakraborty decided to bring on Haitian striker Sony Norde into the mix who had been sidelined with injury for a while. The fan favourite did not disappoint as the striker scored within eight minutes after coming on with his trademark run from the left before shooting from an acute angle to give Bagan the lead for the first time in the match. Bagan continued their good attacking play and it looked like Bagan had sealed the three points. But Lalrinmuana stunned the stadium after he curled in a beautiful free-kick from 32 yards deep into injury time. An exciting finish to an exciting game that had fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
After back to back draws, Bagan will be looking for their first win of the season as they take on bottom placed Indian Arrows away from home on November 10. On the other hand, Aizawl FC will be also be looking for their first win when they lock horns in a north-eastern derby against NEROCA FC at home on November 7.
