I-League: TRAU scrape to 1-0 win over Aizawl

Kalyani, Feb 9 : Tiddim Road Athletic Union (TRAU) scraped past Aizawl FC with a 1-0 win in the I-League on Tuesday at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium. Komron Tursunov’s fifth-minute goal turned out to be the winner as TRAU’s debutant goalkeeper Amrit Gope put up an inspired performance to give the Manipuri club their second win of the season.
Aizawl FC made two changes in their starting XI from their goalless draw with table-toppers Churchill Brothers. Head coach Yan Law started Ramhlunchhunga and David Laltlansanga. TRAU, whose unbeaten run came to an end against RoundGlass Punjab made three changes, bringing in Naresh Singh, goalkeeper Amrit Gope and Brazilian playmaker Bruno Rodrigues.
TRAU’s Phalguni Singh tipped a loose ball in the path of Tursunov in the fifth minute, and the Tajik forward broke into the area before sending a thunderous strike into the low left-hand corner.
Tursunov had a chance to double the lead in the 10th minute as he pounced on Laldinpuia’s error. However, his left-footed volley was high of the Aizawl goal. Aizawl had a chance to pull one back in the 14th minute when Ramhlunchhunga met a long throw, but his header was wayward and off-target.
Aizawl held most of the ball in the opening half, while TRAU were comfortable counterattacking. TRAU created another chance to double the lead, but Bidyashagar Singh’s dipping effort from outside the area was comfortably saved by Lalmuansanga.
Aizawl’s persistence in attack paid off and they won a penalty kick after a clumsy tackle from Shahabaaz brought down Ramhlunchhunga on the 39th minute. However, MC Zuala’s shot hit the post before being cleared by the TRAU defenders.