I-League 2024-25: Newcomer Rodriguez's Late Equalizer Saves Aizawl FC Against Churchill

Aizawl, Feb 17 (NationPress) Colombia’s Luis Rodríguez became a standout performer on his I-League debut, as his injury-time goal enabled a struggling Aizawl FC to secure a 1-1 draw against the league leaders, Churchill Brothers, at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium on Monday. Notably, this was Aizawl’s solitary shot on target throughout the encounter.

The Churchill Brothers, devastated after squandering multiple chances, took the lead in the 60th minute when South African Wayde Lekay converted a penalty, marking his 10th goal of the season. Things took a turn for the worse for Churchill when Colombian defender Jose Luis Moreno was sent off in the 74th minute.

This draw leaves the Churchill Brothers regretting a missed opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table. They now face mounting pressure from other contenders, having settled for a draw against a team in 11th place. Currently, Churchill Brothers hold 28 points from 15 matches, with eight wins, four draws, and three losses.

For Aizawl, the thrilling conclusion of the match should boost their confidence, especially after suffering a 0-6 defeat in their previous encounter with Churchill Brothers last month. The Reds now have 11 points from 15 matches.

Churchill Brothers entered the match with a mix of confidence and strategic caution. They aimed to control the game tempo from the start. Despite their initial control, the Red Machines struggled to translate their dominance into significant threats against a sturdy Aizawl defense.

As the game progressed, the visitors recognized the need for a tactical adjustment to inject more pace into their play. This shift began to pay off around the 40th minute, when midfielder Kingslee Fernandes initiated a promising offensive.

He skillfully passed to Sebastian Gutierrez, who then set up Rafiq Aminu. The agile Ghanaian forward maneuvered past his defender, attempting a clever finish through Aizawl goalkeeper Rafique Ali Sardar. However, Sardar was quick to respond, executing a crucial save.

The momentum of the Churchill Brothers continued, almost resulting in a goal two minutes later when Lalliansanga Renthlei unleashed a powerful shot from distance, which Sardar impressively tipped onto the crossbar.

Aizawl FC nearly capitalized on a rare mistake by Churchill just before halftime. A misdirected clearance from goalkeeper Sayad Bin Abdul Kadir set up Malsawmzuala Tlangte for a prime scoring opportunity, but his inadvertent touch sent the ball past the post.

After the break, Aizawl aimed to regain control and shift the match dynamics in their favor. However, a lapse in judgment from defender Zothanpuia resulted in an unnecessary challenge on Aminu in the penalty area, leading to a penalty for Churchill. Lekay stepped up confidently, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give Churchill Brothers the lead in the 60th minute.

The goal visibly deflated Aizawl FC, dampening their spirits temporarily. However, the match dynamic shifted slightly in favor of the hosts in the 74th minute, when Churchill Brothers defender Jose Luis Moreno Pena received a second yellow card and was sent off.

This numerical advantage proved beneficial for Aizawl FC as they capitalized during stoppage time. In a goalmouth scramble, the ball found its way to Rodríguez, who cleverly executed a grounder to score and secure a point for his team.

Churchill attempted to find the net through Aminu and Gutierrez, but Aizawl's defense and goalkeeper stood resolute.