Aizawl: Defending champions Aizawl FC defeated Churchill Brothers by a solitary goal to claim full points from their first I-League home match here on Wednesday.
Yugo Kobayashi scored in the 88th minute to snatch crucial three points for the hosts.
Aizawl were dominant from the kick-off and created chances but failed to convert them, going into the break tied 0-0.
The home team upped the tempo in the second session, creating several opportunities but Japan forward Kobayashi Yugo Kobayashi failed to convert them.
Just when it looked like Churchill had secured a creditable point, Kobayashi neatly tucked from close range to turn the match on its head.
Aizawl, with four points from two games, now move up to fifth on the table, increasing Churchill’s woes who are stuck at the bottom. The Goan team next travel to Kolkata to face East Bengal on Saturday. Aizawl play their next game at home against Shillong Lajong on December 18.
Injury-hit Bagan face Lajong
Plagued by injuries, Mohun Bagan will look to continue their winning run when they face Shillong Lajong in a fourth round match at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Thursday.
Bagan began with a 1-1 draw with Minerva Punjab FC and won their next two matches, 1-0 against East Bengal and 5-0 over Churchill.
But their big win saw four players sustain injuries on the artificial turf of the Barasat Stadium.
Japanese midfielder Yuta Kinowaki (collarbone) has been ruled out for a month. Defender Arijit Bagui is also injured.
Forwards Sony Norde and Ansumana Kromah are struggling to shake off their injuries despite training through pain on the eve of the game.
Striker Aser Pierrick Dipanda Dicka, also nursing an injury, is expected to play. Only a point separates the teams in the standings.
