Aizawl are back to winning ways in I League

Aizawl, February 23: Hero of the Match Lalkhawpuimawia netted a brace (16th minute, 87th) after Andrei Ionescu (7th) had opened the scoring as Aizawl FC ended their eight match winless sequence in the I league with a 3-0 win against Indian Arrows.

Mapuia's brace helps @AizawlFC earn a convincing 3-0 victory over Arrows as they snap their nine game winless streak.#HeroILeague #AFCvARW pic.twitter.com/TWNk6y6kgS

— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) February 23, 2018

In the match held at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, both teams had plenty of chances.

Aizawl needed only seven minutes to score the opening goal.

Mapuia skipped past Stalin in the byline and sent a teasing ball towards goal. Arrows goalkeeper Sukham failed to grab the goal as it found its way to Ionescu, who easily found the back of the back form 3 yards out.

Mapuia scored Aizawl's second goal of the match in the 16th minute. He slipped from the guard of the Arrows defenders, his first shot hit both the woodwork but on rebound, he didn't make any mistake to double the lead.

Edmund Lalrindika's acrobatic attempt was spectacular for the eye but bore no fruit as it didn't trouble Aizawl's goalkeeper Avilash Paul in the 21st minute.

The home side were presented with a wonderful chance to grab their third goal of the match but Dodoz's powerful shot was thwarted away by Sukham, much to the delight of his team-mates.

The young boys couldn't find their rhythm in the first 45 minute as Aizawl led 2-0 in the first half.

Minutes into the second half, Dodoz was presented with a gem of a chance when he was released by right back Dinliana's defence-splitting pass. The Ivorian striker was one-on-one with the goalkeeper but he blasted the shot over the crossbar.

Arrows fought back and nearly pulled one back in the 50th minute when Anwar Ali's shot from inside the box was superbly parried away by Avilash Paul. Manipuri winger Nongdamba Naorem, who had scored one of the best goals scored in season, danced past Aizawl defender but his shot from inside the box couldn't trouble Paul.

To confirm three points was in the bag, Mapuia scored his second and Aizawl's third in the 87th minute when he calmly tucked the ball in the back of the net after Dodoz provided him with a lovely pass from the back.

Aizawl FC are now equal on points with fifth-placed Shillong Lajong who have 21 points with one game in hand. Arrows continue to stay rooted at the bottom with 15 points as they'll now head to Goa where they'll host the Mariners in their final match of the I league on February 27.

(Source: AIFF Media)