Aizawl edge past Chenyin FC in pelty shootout

Bhubaneswar, April 1: Aizawl FC kick started their round-of-16 campaign defeating the ISL 2018 Champions Chenyin FC in a il biting pelty shootout 5-3 (2-2) here on Saturday.

Romanian Midfielder Andrei Ionescu (22' and 91st minute) scored both the goals for Aizawl FC while Brazilian Mailson Alves (89') and Dhachandra Singh (115') scored for Chenyin FC within the regulation time and extra time.

The first half began with Aizawl FC going on an attacking mode from the first minute.

Their first attempt at the Chenyin FC goal came in the second minute through Afghan Masih Saighani, but they failed to find the back of the net.

Aizawl FC were soon lucky enough to get another chance to score through free kick just a couple of minutes later from just outside the goal box, but the shot yielded no results, landing safely into the hands of Chenyin FC goalkeeper Karanjiat Singh.

The first half thereafter saw a series of attack from Aizawl FC but the Hero I-League 2016 - a17 Champions failed to convert any chance into a goal.

Aizawl FC’s drew first blood in the 22nd minute when Romanian Andrei Ionescu made a brilliant run through the scattered Chenyin FC defenders, giving the Hero I-League 2016-2017 Champions a much needed lead in the game. IANS