Mizoram Premier League 2019 Roundup: Matchday 10

Aizawl FC continued to stay at the top of the Mizoram Premier League with a resounding win over Ramhlun North FC.

Mizoram Police and Chhinga Veng stay in the hunt for the semifinals berth. Electric Veng and Chanmari play out a draw, while Chawnpui stares at relegation.

Red juggernaut hit Ramhlun North for a six

FULL TIME: Aizawl FC 6 – 0 Ramhlun North FC
Aizawl FC: (Joe Zoherliana 11′, Isak Vanlalruatfela 35′, Alfred Jaryan 40′,76′, Lalhmangaihkima 52′, F. Lalremsanga 84′)

Aizawl FC continued to bang in the goals in Round 10 of the Mizoram Premier League with a 6-0 drubbing of Ramhlun North FC. The win maintained a six-point gap at the top of the table.

The announcement of the 2019-20 I-League fixtures meant that Aizawl FC would kick off the league season against on November 30. With the final round scheduled on Nov 28/29 and the semi-finals scheduled on Dec 3/4 and Dec 6/7, Aizawl is staring at fixture congestion towards the end of the tournament.

With an aim to book a semi-final berth as early as possible, Aizawl went all guns blazing against the hapless Ramhlun North defense.

Joe Zoherliana opened the scoring in the 11th minute, while Isak Vanlalruatfela doubled the lead in the 35th minute.

Alfred Jaryan got his name on the scoresheet with a brace. Lalhmangaihkima and Lalremsanga completed the rout.

Aizawl has scored 11 goals in their last two matches. Their last fixture against Chawnpui ended 5-0 in favor of the Reds,

With 24 points from 10 matches, Aizawl FC is six points clear of the second-place Mizoram Police FC.

Electric Veng and Chanmari cancel each other out

FULL TIME: Electric Veng FC 1 – 1 Chanmari FC
Electric Veng FC: David Lalchhuanawma (67′); Chanmari FC: Lalremruata (41′)

The fight for the final semifinal spot between Electric Veng and Chanmari FC ended in a result that did not help either side.

One point separating four teams vying for a semi-final, both teams needed three points to stay in the hunt. The reverse fixture ended in favor of Electric Veng, but with two losses in a row, the holders of the Independence Cup started the match shakily.

Chanmari looked better of the two teams in the opening exchanges and went ahead deservedly through Lalremruata. The second half was a different story as David Lalchhuanawma restored parity in the 67th minute.

At the final whistle, both teams were locked on 15 points – two points behind the third place team.

Police take the sting out of Venghnuai

FULL TIME: FC Venghnuai 0 – 2 Mizoram Police
Mizoram Police: (Malsawmfela 22′, Lalbiakhlua 69′)

Two goals in each half handed Mizoram Police a comfortable 2-0 victory over Venghnuai. Goals from Malsawmfela and Lalbiakhlua helped the Policemen maintain their grip on second place.

FC Venghnuai went into the match with the aim of securing three points to stay in the hunt of the semifinals berth. The reverse fixture ended in favor of the newly-promoted side.

The Policemen stuck to their gameplan of playing on the counter as playmaker Malsawmfela opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Lalbiakhlua’s goal in the 69th minute effectively snuffed out Venghnuai’s hopes of a comeback and their chances of qualifying for the semifinals.

Chhinga Veng boys put five past Chawnpui

FULL TIME: Chhinga Veng FC 5 – 2 Chawnpui FC
Chhinga Veng FC: (Lalchungnunga 9′, 48′, MC Malsawmzuala 37′, Lalsawmzela 45+2′, Thasiama 76′); Chawnpui FC: (Jonathan Lalhriatkima 31′, C. Lalremruata 60′ [P])

In the match of the round, Chhinga Veng beat Chawnpui 5-2 to hold on the third spot in the Mizoram Premier League table.

After failing to win three matches in a row, the runners up of the MPL 2018/19 went on the front foot in the ninth minute through Lalchungnunga.

Chawnpui, who beat Chhinga Veng 3-2 in Round 7, restored parity in the 31st minute. However, Chhinga Veng hit back with two goals before half time to make it 3-1.

Upon resumption, Lalchungnunga extended the lead with a goal in the 48th minute. Chwanpui threatened to make a comeback by converting a penalty at the hour mark to make it 4-2.

Thasiama snuffed out all hopes of a Chwanpui comeback in the final quarter as Chhinga Veng ran out winners.

Chawnpui, having conceded 10 goals in consecutive matches, lie at the bottom of the table on four points with the threat of relegation becoming a reality.