Mizoram Premier League 2019 Roundup: Round 11

Mizoram Police FC stage an epic come back from 1-5 to stun Aizawl FC in the Round 11 encounter of the Mizoram Premier League.

Chhinga Veng keep up the pace in third spot, while the fight for the fourth semifinal spot gets tighter between Chanmari and Electric Veng.

Police strike back to stun Aizawl in epic comeback

FULL TIME: Mizoram Police FC 6-5 Aizawl FC
Mizoram Police FC: (Lalbiakhlua Hlutea 37′, R Malsawmtluanga 52′, Lalbiakhlua Biaktea 63′, Lalnunsanga 64′, 66′, Lalbiakthanga Hmar 85′ [P];
Aizawl FC: (Alfred Jaryan 10′, 45+2′, Rochharzela 28′, 45′, K Lalhmangaihkima 39′)

6-5.

If the match had gone on for much longer, it appeared that a true tennis score would have been possible. 

Mizoram Police handed Aizawl FC their first defeat in the 2019/20 Mizoram Premier League campaign in a goal-fest.

Aizawl went 0-2 ahead within the half-hour mark. Mizoram Police got one back in the 37th minute through Lalbiakhlua.

The I-League team struck back with three goals in a space of eight minutes to go 1-5 up at the half time break. 

For the third match running, Aizawl FC scored five or more goals. The match was dead and buried at this point.

Upon resumption, Mizoram Police provided an early glimpse of a comeback. Malsawmtluanga scored in the 52nd minute to make it 2-5.

In a space of three minutes, Mizoram Police did the unthinkable: they tied the game. Lalbiakhlua Biaktea made it 3-5 before Lalnuansanga scored twice in two minutes to make it 5-5.

5-5 with more than 20 minutes left to play.

After a brief dry spell, Mizoram Police took the lead. With five minutes to go, Lalbiakthanga converted from the spot to clinch an incredible victory for Mizoram Police.

6-5.  A fightback to remember.

Aizawl FC continues to lead the table with 24 points, Mizoram Police narrowed the gap to three with 21 points from their 11 games.

Chhinga Veng see off Chanmari in a close encounter

FULL TIME: Chanmari FC 0-1 Chhinga Veng FC
Chhinga Veng FC (Lalmawizuala 65’)

Chhinga Veng maintained their grip on the third spot of the Mizoram Premier League table.

A 1-0 win over Chanmari ensured all three points for the runners-up of the 2018/19 MPL season. Lalmawizuala was the lone goalscorer in the match.

The two teams went into the match with an eye on the semifinal spot. Chanmari trailed their opponent by two points.

However, with this result, the race for the fourth spot has gotten tighter as Chhinga Veng is sitting pretty at 20 points, while Chanmari is tied with Electric Veng on 15 points.

Bottom-placed Chawnpui shock Electric Veng 

FULL TIME: Chawnpui FC 2-1 Electric Veng FC
Chawnpui FC: (Lalthlamuana 15’, 84’); Electric Veng FC (David Lalchhuanawma 90+2’)

Bottom-placed Chawnpui FC gathered three precious points in the 11th round of the Mizoram Premier League.

The surprise victory takes Chawnpui’s points tally to seven, while Electric Veng finds themselves in a tussle for the fourth semifinal spot.

Lalthlamuana was the hero for Chawnpui as his goals in the 15th and the 84th minute provided the three points for his team.

David Lalchhuanawma’s injury-time winner took the gloss off a wonderful win for the relegation candidates.

Five goals in a crazy half hour 

FULL TIME: Ramhlun North FC 3-3 FC Venghnuai
Ramhlun North FC: (Lalpekhlua Jongte 8′, 14′, Lalremsanga 25′); FC Venghnuai (Vanlalthanga 24′ [P], 28′, Lalruatfela 48′)

Ramhlun North FC and FC Venghnuai were in an entertaining match which ended in a 3-3 scoreline.

The two teams traded blows in the early exchanges with Ramhlun North going ahead 2-0 within the first quarter of an hour. Lalpekhlua Jongte with the brace.

Venghnuai pulled one back through Vanlalthanga with the 24th-minute penalty kick.

Ramhlun North hit back immediately with Lalremsanga to make it 3-1.

The drama did not end there as Vanlalthanga scored his second of the match three minutes later. 3-2 within half an hour of the match.

After the break, Lalruatfela evened the scores within three minutes of the restart as Venghnuai went on to stamp their authority.

As the match wore on, the two teams could not match the energy of the first half. The 3-3 scoreline was probably the deserved result, although both sides would have looked back at a missed opportunity to gather all three points.

Top four spots yet to take shape

With three matches to go in the league stage, the potential showdown for the crown in the playoffs is beginning to take shape.

In the next round, second-placed Mizoram Police face the third-placed, Chhinga Veng in the match of the round.

Electric Veng and Chanmari would hope to better their chances of taking the semifinal spot in their matchup against Ramhlun North and Chawnpui, respectively.

Table-toppers Aizawl FC dispelled all rumors about their participation in the I-League.

To everyone who are still wondering – Is @AizawlFC playing the I-League? Well here's your answer – YES! We are Playing. 4 the ❤ of football, 4 the sake of all #indianfootball fans & to keep developing and promoting football in the country. @ILeagueOfficial See you in few days!

— Aizawl FC (@AizawlFC) November 11, 2019

In the next round, they face Venghnuai in what could appear to be a three-pointer for the I-League team. But after bottling a 5-1 lead, nothing is as straightforward as it seems.