The I-League title is now Aizawl's to lose as they go into the final week three points clear of Mohun Bagan after eking out a 1-0 win at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Aizawl on Saturday. Aizawl will only need a draw in their final game away to Shillong Lajong to claim their maiden title.
Zotea Ralte scored the winning goal after heading home Mahmoud Al-Amna's 83rd minute corner. A win by two goals or more would have given Aizawl the title today and they missed a big chance to grab the second in the 91st minute, when Lalramchullova failed to pass the ball to Al-Amna, who was unmarked on the opposite side, and the image of him lying on the ground with his head buried in agony said the whole story.
Aizawl will miss the services of defender Ashutosh Mehta and their captain and midfielder Alfred Jaryan against Shillong next week, as both are suspended after receiving their fourth yellows for the season during the game.
Aizawl showed desire right from the start, they were not afraid to get into tackles, were getting forward with pace and played positively. Even so, Bagan had a great chance to go in front in the third minute when Darryl Duffy, after being put through by Katsumi Yusa, got past two Aizawl defenders, only to be denied by a superb save by keeper Albino Gomes. Five minutes later, Aizawl got their first shot on target, when Kamo Bayi - their top-scorer - drifted in from the left flank and shot well, but straight at the keeper.
With rain pouring in across Aizawl throughout the day, the mist hampered the visibility on the ground and the game was briefly stopped in the first half. But that hardly affected the chances at either end. Norde and Katsumi were in the thick of things for Bagan, while Al-Amna, Jayesh Rane and Brandon Vanlalremdika had a lively game for Aizawl.
"We played very well, dominated play, but lack of concentration cost us the game. If you concede a goal with six to seven minutes left it's very difficult to come back. Yes, luck does play a role but what's gone is gone. We have to win our last match and we'll still have an outside chance. The boys are disappointed, but it is my responsibility not to let their confidence down. If you cannot score a goal you cannot win. This is football," Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen said after the game.
Both Aizawl and Mohun Bagan play their final games on April 30.
Churchill ensure safety, Mumbai relegated
Four goals from Bektur Uulu (22', 82', 84', 90'+3') helped Churchill Brothers to an emphatic 6-1 win over Chennai City FC at the Tilak Maidan, Vasco on Saturday. The result ensured Churchill's safety in the league, while also confirming Mumbai FC's relegation.
Ghanefo Kromah (66') and Brandon Fernandes (90') were the other goalscorers for Churchill while Soosai Raj (54') got a consolation goal for the visitors.
Bektur's four-goal tally is the highest by an individual in an I-League match this season.
Bektur's first came in the 22nd minute when Chennai failed to clear a Brandon corner and the ball fell kindly for the Kyrgyzstan midfielder to tap in.
Soosai Raj equalized for Chennai in the 54th minute with a curling shot from outside the box which found the top corner. However, the visitors went down to ten men in the 60th minute when defender Anyichie Celestine got sent off for a second yellow.
Churchill capitalised on the numerical advantage and made it 2-1 in the 67th minute through Kromah, who finished through the legs of Karanjit after being released down the left by Brandon.
It was one-way traffic for the remainder of the game as the visitors lost their defensive shape and the hosts capitalized on every mistake.
BFC hit Shivajians for seven
Defending champions Bengaluru FC turned on the style and dished out a 7-0 hammering of DSK Shivajians at the Kanteerava Stadium. The win was Bengaluru's biggest margin since their formation in 2013.
The captain Sunil Chhetri scored a brace and provided four assists, while Alwyn George, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Len Doungel, substitute CK Vineeth and Sandesh Jhingan also found the back of the net.
Bengaluru next face Churchill Brothers in their final league match, at home on April 29.