Bagan, Aizawl in key clash
Aizawl, April 21: Tabletoppers Mohun Bagan and Aizawl FC will have an eye on the I-League title when they lock horns in a crucial penultimate round match here on Saturday.
A favourable result for Mohun Bagan will be enough to win them the title, while Aizawl can become the champions if they win by two goals at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium.
Mohun Bagan, one of the traditional giants of Indian football, had beaten Aizawl FC 3-2 in the first-leg match.
While Mohun Bagan would be a tough nut to crack, Aizawl FC would be backed by the home crowd as they seek to end a fairytale run on a positive note, a year after qualifying for the top league for the first time.
A draw would see both teams’ fate being decided in the last round matches where Mohun Bagan host Chennai City FC and Aizawl take on Shillong Lajong in an away clash.
Having first made the top-division cut in 2015-16, Aizawl FC finished eighth — one place above the drop zone in the nine-team competition.
The northeastern team have only lost three matches in the entire season, and their 10 wins are the most among all teams. Their home record is very impressive, as they scored 22 out of possible 24 points with seven wins and a 1-1 draw against defending champions Bengaluru FC.
Mohun Bagan, too, had been very consistent at home, having an identical win-draw record in as many games as Aizawl FC.
However, Bagan’s nine clean sheets are the most among all teams in this ILeague.
With the crowd firmly behind a team brimming with confidence after its 31 rout of Churchill Brothers in the latter’s backyard, Mohun Bagan will have their task cut
out. Speaking ahead of the match, Mohun Baga n coac h Sanjoy Sen said, “The atmosphere and the passion of the people are amazing. Aizawl FC have been playing extraordinary well in all their matches.” “The home side will be feeling more pressure as it is a must win situation for them but not for us. Anything can happen on the pitch.”