KOLKATA: Lalliansanga’s 46th-minute strike helped Aizawl FC to beat NEROCA FC to overcome relegation in the I-League on Thursday.
Yan Law’s side have accumulated 18 points from 11 games, and became the first team from Group B to avoid a slip from the top-tier.
Gift Raikhan made three changes from their humbling defeat against the Indian Arrows, bringing in Jiteshwor Singh, Romton Singh and Olen Singh into the starting 11.
Aizawl also started with three changes in personnel from their 3-0 victory against Chennai City as Yan Law started Lalchungnunga, Lalmawizuala and Ramhlunchhunga.
The first chance of the game fell to Aizawl in the 7th minute as Bishorjit Singh was forced to be quick off his line to clear the danger from a free-kick.
On the other end, NEROCA threatened the Aizawl goal in the 9th minute when Jude Garcia met Subash Singam’s cutback and forced a save from Lalmuansanga.
Subash Singam was at his brightest as his slick touch allowed him to enter the area and shoot. However, his strike was central and easily saved by Lalmuansanga in the 11th minute.
Garcia brothers — Jude and Nathaniel — had an opportunity each to score from long-rangers in the opening 20 minutes of the game, but their efforts were off target.
NEROCA kept threatening and as a result, won a free-kick just outside the penalty area in the 24th minute. Aizawl keeper Lalmuansanga had to be alert to save Nathaniel Garcia’s low, swerving effort.
